2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak: A new challenge

Highlights • In December 2019, a novel Betacoronavirus (2019-nCoV; SARS-CoV-2) was recognised and has rapidly spread across continents.• 71 333 cases (17 February 2020) have been reported among 29 countries on the four main continents with mortality of ∼2%.• Fever with respiratory symptoms (e.g. cough, dyspnoea) are the first signs of the disease (COVID-19).• High rate of radiological and clinically suspicious pneumonia were reported in the reviewed cohorts of patients.• Risk of bacterial superinfection and empirical antibiotic coverage must be considered.