The World Health Organization (WHO) chief said on Feb 24 that the novel coronavirus epidemic (COVID-19) reached its peak between January 23 and February 2 and the number of new cases has since been steadily declining.

WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made the remarks at a press briefing in Geneva.

"We are encouraged by the continued decline in (new) cases in China," Dr Tedros said, adding "The key message that should give all countries hope, courage and confidence is that this virus can be contained."

"For the moment we are not witnessing the uncontained global spread of this virus, and we are not witnessing large-scale severe disease or death."

A team of international experts, led by the WHO, finished its week-long inspection tour in China on Feb 24, concluding "The measures taken in China have averted a significant number of cases."

The team visited multiple provinces in China including Guangdong and Sichuan, as well as the city of Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak, and interacted with medical staff, community workers and public servants working on the front lines.

The experts found that it takes a patient with mild symptoms an average of two weeks to recover, while for a patient in severe condition recovery may take up to three to six weeks.

However, the WHO chief said that the sudden increase of cases in Italy, the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Korea are "deeply concerning."

He said the novel coronavirus disease "absolutely" has the potential to become a pandemic — an infectious disease widely spread in many parts of the world, but it does not yet amount to a pandemic, however he urged all countries to stay prepared.