The World Health Organisation has said that the coronavirus can be pushed back – but only if countries put all their efforts into containing it.
At his latest briefing this afternoon, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said there have now been just over 95,000 COVID-19 cases confirmed around the world.
He said nearly 3,300 people have died.
Outside of China, 2055 cases were reported in 33 countries – 80% of them in three countries.
LIVE: Daily media briefing on #COVID19 with @DrTedros #coronavirus https://t.co/sFyW45IcZk
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) March 5, 2020
In the past 34 hours, China reported 143 new cases; however, eight provinces have not reported any new cases for two weeks.
He said five other countries that previously reported cases have had no new ones for two weeks.
“The experience of these countries and of China continues to demonstrate that this is not a one-way street,” he said.
“This epidemic can be pushed back, but only with a collective, coordinated and comprehensive approach that engages the entire machinery of government.
“We are calling on every country to act with speed, scale and clear-minded determination.”
"This is not a drill.
This is not the time to give up.
This is not a time for excuses.
This is a time for pulling out all the stops.
Countries have been planning for scenarios like this for decades. Now is the time to act on those plans"-@DrTedros #COVID19 #coronavirus
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) March 5, 2020
He said countries must take a whole-of-government approach in response to the outbreak – and not leave it up to their health ministers.
“We’re concerned that some countries have either not taken this seriously enough, or have decided there’s nothing they can do,” he said.
“We are concerned that in some countries the level of political commitment and the actions that demonstrate that commitment do not match the level of the threat we all face.
“This is not a drill. This is not the time to give up. This is not a time for excuses. This is a time for pulling out all the stops.”
WHO is mobilizing the 🌍🌏🌎 to help all people Be Ready for the new #coronavirus. We are calling on our partners & people in all countries to join us in taking the actions needed to Be Safe, Smart & Kind to fight #COVID19. Learn more at https://t.co/M11m4O5zF2
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) March 5, 2020
He said it is also essential that the public if fully informed about the symptoms and what they can do to protect themselves from infection.
“If countries act aggressively to find, isolate and treat cases, and to trace every contact, they can change the trajectory of this epidemic,” he said.
“If we take the approach that there’s nothing we can do, that will quickly become a self-fulfilling prophecy.
“It’s in our hands.”
The WHO today launched a new social media campaign called Be Ready for COVID-19, which urges people to be safe, smart and informed.
File photo of Dr Michael Ryan, Executive Director of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme (L), WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom (C) and Dr Sylvie Briand, Director of Pandemic and Epidemic Diseases at the WHO (R), 19-02-2020. Image: Chen Junxia/Xinhua News Agency/PA Images“We know people are afraid,” Said Dr Tedros “That’s normal and appropriate.
“That fear can be managed and moderated with accurate information.
“If you feel overwhelmed by fear, reach out to those around you. Find out what your community’s emergency response plans are, how you fit in and how you can help.
He said the severity of the outbreak will ultimately depend on how countries respond to it.
“This is a serious disease. It is not deadly to most people, but it can kill.
“We’re all responsible for reducing our own risk of infection, and if we’re infected, for reducing our risk of infecting others.
“There’s something all of us can do to protect vulnerable people in our communities. That is why we keep talking about solidarity.
“This is not just a threat for individual people, or individual countries. We’re all in this together, and we can only save lives together.”
