Risk Assessment Report – 10 February 2021

Worldwide, there have been over 106.8 million cases and more than 2.3 million deaths attributed to COVID-19. • An expert from the World Health Organization on Tuesday rejected the possibility of the novel coronavirus having accidentally leaked from a controversial laboratory in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, saying it is "extremely unlikely." According to the leader of the WHO team during a press conference after its joint investigation with Chinese experts, the virus most probably jumped to humans via an intermediary species. He said that the findings suggest that the laboratory incidents hypothesis is extremely unlikely to explain the introduction of the virus to the human population. • Ho Chi Minh City authorities announced the closure of all non-essential businesses and entertainment activities such as bars, beauty salons, gyms, karaoke parlors, night clubs, massage parlors, and movie theaters from February 9 until further notice in response to the city recording more than 25 cases in a single day. In addition, religious gatherings will be limited to 20 people. However, gas stations, retail stores, pharmacies and medical facilities will remain open but with strict preventive measures. The government has changed the quarantine period back to 14 days after briefly increasing it to 21 days. The Ministry of Health clarified that while the UK strain of the virus had a faster onset time, its incubation period remains two weeks.