Apple News: CEO Tim Cook Says Coronavirus Poses A 'Challenge' As China Operations Remain Disrupted

Apple CEO Tim Cook told shareholders Wednesday that the ongoing coronavirus outbreak poses a “challenge” for the company, as its business operations in China have been disrupted. He also said that the virus is a “fairly dynamic situation.”

"First priority is the health and safety of our employees and our partners," Cook said. "That's where our energies are."

Cook only briefly touched on the coronavirus issue during the meeting. He instead focused on other topics, such as the company’s first retail store in India.

In recent weeks, Cook announced that Apple would lower its revenue forecast for the second quarter due to the virus. Apple has said "worldwide iPhone supply will be temporarily constrained” and “that demand for our products within China has been affected.”

The company was forced to close all its stores in China due to the outbreak, with 30 of its 42 China stores now reopened. Apple has also been forced to shift some of its iPad, AirPods, and Apple Watch production from mainland China to Taiwan amid the health emergency.

The coronavirus originated at an animal and seafood market in the Chinese city of Wuhan. The Chinese government has put millions of its citizens on lockdown in response to the virus, which has paralyzed the country's economy.

There are over 81,000 coronavirus cases worldwide, with the death toll at over 2,700. There are roughly 60 known cases of coronavirus in the U.S.