WHO Director-General: "COVID-19 Pandemic Threat Becomes Real"...Finally Acknowledged (Comprehensive)

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the threat of a pandemic related to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) has become very real. The US CNN network also decided to refer to the COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic. This acknowledgment of the situation as essentially a pandemic is expected to have an even greater impact worldwide in terms of quarantine measures and economic activities.

On the 9th (local time), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, said at a press briefing held at the WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, regarding the COVID-19 situation, "COVID-19 has spread to many countries." He added, "The number of COVID-19 cases reported from 100 countries exceeded 100,000 last weekend," and "It is clearly distressing that so many people and countries have been affected so quickly." As of that day, confirmed cases had occurred in 104 countries worldwide.

This statement from the WHO chief is notable because it differs from the consistent stance maintained so far. Despite COVID-19 spreading worldwide starting from China, Ghebreyesus said at a press conference on the 24th of last month, "Currently, there is no evidence of global spread of COVID-19, and there have not been large-scale deaths," and "While there is a possibility of a pandemic, it is still difficult to assess it as such."

CNN also decided to refer to the COVID-19 outbreak as a "pandemic" starting from that day. The network stated, "From today, you will see CNN using the term 'pandemic' to describe the current COVID-19 outbreak," and added, "We know it sounds frightening, but we must not cause panic."

On the same day, Italy expanded its movement restriction orders nationwide. The cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases is approaching 10,000. This is because the virus has been difficult to contain despite repeated measures. The virus is still spreading in the United States as well. The New York and New Jersey Port Authority officials tested positive for COVID-19, and another infection occurred at a nursing facility in Washington State.

Although the world is facing a pandemic situation, WHO did not omit an optimistic outlook that it is sufficiently controllable. Ghebreyesus emphasized that despite the threatening pandemic situation, control is fully possible. He advised all countries worldwide to actively engage in quarantine efforts to achieve control.

He said, "This will be the first pandemic in history that can be controlled," and emphasized, "We are not at the mercy of this virus." Ghebreyesus explained, "It is important to remember that decisive and early action can slow the spread of COVID-19 and prevent infections," and "More than 70% of the 80,000 confirmed cases reported in China have recovered and been discharged." He added, "This is not about a false dichotomy of suppression versus mitigation, but about both," and insisted, "Every country must adopt a comprehensive strategy to control and suppress COVID-19."

He suggested that countries with widespread community transmission take strong measures such as school closures or cancellation of large gatherings depending on the situation. He also explained that China, Italy, Japan, and South Korea have demonstrated the effectiveness of such measures. He emphasized, "The rule of the game is never to give up," and "That can be achieved by implementing aggressive measures as soon as possible."

As of that day, the cumulative global COVID-19 cases counted by WHO stood at 109,577 in 104 countries, with 3,809 deaths.

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