An outbreak of disease caused by the new COVID-2019 coronavirus has the potential for a pandemic. This was stated by the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adan Gebreyesus, speaking at a briefing in Geneva on Monday.
According to him, now the use of the term “pandemic” does not meet the facts, we are talking about an epidemic in various parts of the world. WHO has not yet observed the rampant global spread of the new coronavirus and does not see a huge number of serious cases or deaths. However, the increase in the number of new cases is a matter of concern. This outbreak “has the potential for a pandemic.”
Gebreyesus called for preparations for a pandemic, with each country assessing the risk itself. The WHO also expressed concern about the sharp increase in the number of cases in Italy, Iran and South Korea. An organization’s team of experts will arrive in Iran on Tuesday to help fight COVID 2019.
Recall, the outbreak of the disease caused by the new coronavirus was recorded at the end of last year in the 12 millionth Wuhan (Hubei Province). The infection has spread throughout China and beyond. Cases of infection were detected in 29 countries, including Russia. As of Monday, in China, the total number of infected with COVID-19 was 77.2 thousand, 24.7 thousand patients recovered. The number of victims increased to 2.6 thousand.
