World Health Organization declares COVID-19 pandemic

By Mike Vlasveld

The World Health Organization (WHO) says the world-wide coronavirus outbreak can now be characterized as a pandemic, but says there are much more important things to focus on than the use of the word.

At a news conference Wednesday, Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, “We’re in this together, to do the right things with calm and protect the citizens of the world. It’s doable.”

He is calling on all countries to “strike a fine balance between protecting health, minimizing economic and social disruption, while respecting human rights.”

Dr. Ghebreyesus added, that even in countries with community transmission can turn the tide on the coronavirus.
 
“Several countries have demonstrated that this virus can be suppressed and controlled,” he said.

While 118,000 COVID-19 cases have been reported globally, in 114 countries, more than 90 percent of cases are in just four countries — China, Italy, Iran and South Korea. Eighty-one countries have not reported any COVID-19 cases, and 57 countries have reported 10 cases or less.

There have been 41 cases confirmed in Ontario, with Ottawa's first confirmed case being announced Wednesday morning.

“We cannot say this loudly enough, or clearly enough, or often enough,” said Dr. Ghebreyesus, “All countries can still change the course of this pandemic.”

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