WHO Emergency Declaration Is a "Warning That the Pandemic Crisis Has Grown That Much Larger"

Screening clinics are being further expanded by local governments to prepare for the influx and spread of the novel coronavirus infection. On the 30th, staff members were on duty at a screening clinic set up in front of the Jung-gu Public Health Center in Seoul.

[Asia Economy Reporters Choi Dae-yeol and Lee Hyun-woo] The number of patients infected with the novel coronavirus (Wuhan pneumonia) has approached 10,000 worldwide. The death toll in China has surpassed 200, and the seventh confirmed case has been reported domestically. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared an international emergency (International Public Health Emergency) as cases of human-to-human transmission (secondary infection) occurred in various countries.

This was a warning that the risk of a global pandemic has significantly increased. On the same day, the U.S. Department of State raised its travel advisory for China to the highest level, 'Level 4,' urging its citizens not to travel to China. Domestic health authorities also began comprehensive responses, including reviewing whether to raise the infectious disease crisis level from 'alert' to 'serious.' ▶Related articles on pages 2, 3, 4, 5, 15, and 18

On the 31st, the National Health Commission of China (NHC) announced that as of midnight, 1,982 new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus were reported across all 31 provinces. The death toll increased by 43, including 42 in Hubei Province, the epicenter. The cumulative confirmed cases nationwide reached 9,692, with a total of 213 deaths. With 1,527 severe cases, the death toll is expected to rise rapidly. There are 15,238 suspected cases and 113,579 close contacts of infected individuals, indicating that confirmed cases are likely to continue increasing steadily.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated at a press conference following the emergency declaration, "Human-to-human transmission cases have been reported in Germany, Japan, Vietnam, and the United States," adding, "If the virus spreads to countries with weak health systems, the consequences could be severe." However, he noted that further analysis is needed regarding trade and travel restrictions and did not recommend them. Some interpret the WHO's emergency declaration as a de facto warning of a pandemic.

Domestically, the seventh confirmed case was reported. A 28-year-old Korean who entered through Incheon Airport on the 23rd after traveling from Wuhan to Qingdao showed symptoms such as coughing from the 26th and was tested after reporting to a health center on the 29th, receiving confirmation the previous day. Since the first case on the 20th, additional cases were confirmed on the 24th, 26th, 27th, and two on the 30th. The sixth patient, who had no travel history to China, was infected through secondary transmission from the third patient, raising alarms for domestic quarantine authorities.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.