7 Countries Report First Coronavirus Cases in One Day

Seven countries reported their first cases of coronavirus in the past 24 hours, according to the World Health Organization.

Brazil, Georgia, Greece, North Macedonia, Norway, Pakistan and Romania should seize their "window of opportunity" to control the spread of the virus, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director general, said at a press conference on Thursday.

"My advice to these countries is to move swiftly," he said.

For the first time, the number of new cases outside of China reported Wednesday overtook the reported new cases inside the country.

Tedros said that the cases outside of China are "our greatest concern."

"No country should assume it won't get cases," he said. "The virus does not respect borders."

But the organization did offer a glimmer of hope. Tedros said there does not appear to be widespread community transmission of the virus and that containment is still possible.

Outside of China, the country with the most reported deaths is Iran, with 26 and 245 confirmed cases of the virus.

The numbers would suggest a mortality rate that is much higher than other areas, but WHO officials said it is typical to see the severe end of the spectrum before a country finds the more mild cases. As surveillance increases, more mild cases will likely be found, they noted.

Italy has also been hit hard, with 14 deaths and more than 500 cases.

Japan officials have asked all elementary, junior high and high schools to close this weekend through their spring breaks to help fight the spread of the outbreak. Japan has roughly 200 cases of the coronavirus, not including the more than 700 passengers and crew members from the Diamond Princess cruise ship who have the virus.

South Korea reported its largest daily increase in new cases so far: 505. That brings its total to more than 1,700 cases, one of which is a U.S. soldier based in the country.