The UW MetaCenter for Pandemic Preparedness and Global Health Security aimed to address the panic surrounding new cases [of coronavirus] and inform attendees of the proper behavior moving forward.

The MetaCenter hosted a coronavirus and pandemic disease preparedness panel Feb. 19, comprised of 14 experts, ranging from Washington state health officials to UW researchers. 

The University of Washington Global Innovation Fund provides support for programs and initiatives that enhance the university’s global engagement through research partnerships, study abroad programs, faculty exchanges, and more. The fund, administered by the Department of Global Affairs, focuses on interdisciplinary and cross-college collaboration in their projects.

The news seemed to be positive: The number of new coronavirus cases reported in China over the past week suggested that the outbreak might be slowing — that containment efforts were working.

But on Thursday, officials added more than 14,840 cases to the tally of the infected in Hubei province alone, bringing the total number to 48,206, the largest one-day increase so far recorded. The death toll in the province rose to 1,310, including 242 new deaths.

Gathering information in real time that is critical to gaining a better understanding of the coronavirus is the goal of a project being undertaken by UW Assistant Professor David Pigott, as part of team that includes multiple organizations around the world. The team is tracking publicly reported confirmed cases of the 2019 novel Coronavirus throughout the world.