The email said the Chinese would soon be notifying the World Health Organization, the official said. Ullyot, the NSC spokesman, disputed the timeline, saying the council did not learn of the coronavirus outbreak until Jan. 3. Health agencies were scrambling to gather information, the two government officials involved in the deliberations said. Questions went back to the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, and experts across the government: How many travelers arrive daily from Wuhan, China, the initial site of the outbreak? What would be the pros and cons, including costs, of any travel restriction?

Source: International New York Times April 05, 2020 11:03 UTC