Are we not already in the outbreak phase by definition..?

"a sudden occurrence of something unwelcome, such as war or disease."

It does not have to kill millions per day to be considered "outbreak". You are thinking of an unchecked plague instead.

Media: covers important outbreak information on a new disease, monitoring it closely because it's very important to be up-to-date on this information.

Conspiracy Theorists: "Is this wanting the disease to kill people?"