就武汉不明原因的病毒性肺炎疫情病原学鉴定进展问题，截至7日21时，专家组认为，本次不明原因的病毒性肺炎病例的病原体初步判定为新型冠状病毒。获得该病毒的全基因组序列，经核酸检测方法共检出新型冠状病毒阳性结果15例，从1例阳性病人样本中分离出该病毒，电镜下呈现典型的冠状病毒形态。 据湖北省武汉市卫生健康委：1月8日，武汉8名不明原因的病毒性肺炎患者治愈出院。8名患者之前在武汉相关医院诊治，后均集中收治在武汉市金银潭医院，经诊疗救治，已连续多日无发热、肺炎等临床表现。临床专家诊断后，认为符合出院标准，可以出院。 The virus that caused a recent pneumonia outbreak in Wuhan City, central China's Hubei Province, was identified as a new type of coronavirus, revealed the initial research outcome of medical professionals. Researchers told reporters that they have successfully obtained the genetic sequencing of the virus from one patient and verified 15 patients were infected with that specific type of virus. It usually takes several weeks to identify the DNA, RNA, or the genetic sequence of the virus in patients but will take years to develop vaccines and specific drugs to protect and cure these diseases. The next step in the research will be looking into the virus etiology and clinical symptoms for more details, said medical experts. Coronaviruses are pathogens that cause respiratory and intestinal diseases. The viruses are named for the crown-like spikes on their surface. There are six known human coronaviruses, four of which are commonly affected in humans, generally causing only mild respiratory symptoms similar to the common cold. But the other two, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, also known as SARS and MERS, respectively, will cause serious symptoms. According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, about three or four out of every 10 patients reported with MERS have died, and the cases continue to occur, primarily in the Arabian Peninsula. In the case of SARS, no human cases have been reported anywhere in the world since 2004. "More comprehensive information is required to confirm the pathogen, as well as to better understand the epidemiology of the outbreak, the clinical picture, the investigations to determine the source, modes of transmission, the extent of the infection, and the countermeasures implemented," the WHO said. The local health commission said that the eight pneumonia patients hospitalized in Wuhan City were cured and discharged from the hospital on Wednesday. The eight patients have all been treated in Jinyintan Hospital, and their symptoms of pneumonia, like fever, manifested for several days.