{"id":15692,"date":"2020-03-11T23:26:01","date_gmt":"2020-03-11T20:26:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/patnubay.org\/?p=15692"},"modified":"2020-03-11T23:43:21","modified_gmt":"2020-03-11T20:43:21","slug":"who-officially-declared-the-covid-19-outbreak-as-a-pandemic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/patnubay.org\/?p=15692","title":{"rendered":"WHO officially declared the COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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WHO officially declared the COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

WHO Director-General’s opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID-19 – 11 March 2020<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

11 March 2020<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Good afternoon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the past two weeks, the number of cases of COVID-19 outside China has increased 13-fold, and the number of affected countries has tripled.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are now more than 118,000 cases in 114 countries, and 4,291 people have lost their lives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thousands more are fighting for their lives in hospitals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the days and weeks ahead, we expect to see the number of cases, the number of deaths, and the number of affected countries climb even higher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WHO has been assessing this outbreak around the clock and we are deeply concerned both by the alarming levels of spread and severity, and by the alarming levels of inaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We have therefore made the assessment that COVID-19 can be characterized as a pandemic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pandemic is not a word to use lightly or carelessly. It is a word that, if misused, can cause unreasonable fear, or unjustified acceptance that the fight is over, leading to unnecessary suffering and death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Describing the situation as a pandemic does not change WHO\u2019s assessment of the threat posed by this virus. It doesn\u2019t change what WHO is doing, and it doesn\u2019t change what countries should do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We have never before seen a pandemic sparked by a coronavirus. This is the first pandemic caused by a coronavirus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And we have never before seen a pandemic that can be controlled, at the same time.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

WHO has been in full response mode since we were notified of the first cases.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And we have called every day for countries to take urgent and aggressive action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We have rung the alarm bell loud and clear. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

===<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As I said on Monday, just looking at the number of cases and the number of countries affected does not tell the full story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of the 118,000 cases reported globally in 114 countries, more than 90 percent of cases are in just four countries, and two of those \u2013 China and the Republic of Korea – have significantly declining epidemics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

81 countries have not reported any cases, and 57 countries have reported 10 cases or less.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We cannot say this loudly enough, or clearly enough, or often enough: all countries can still change the course of this pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If countries detect, test, treat, isolate, trace, and mobilize their people in the response, those with a handful of cases can prevent those cases becoming clusters, and those clusters becoming community transmission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even those countries with community transmission or large clusters can turn the tide on this virus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Several countries have demonstrated that this virus can be suppressed and controlled. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The challenge for many countries who are now dealing with large clusters or community transmission is not whether they can<\/strong> do the same \u2013 it\u2019s whether they will<\/strong>.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some countries are struggling with a lack of capacity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some countries are struggling with a lack of resources. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some countries are struggling with a lack of resolve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are grateful for the measures being taken in Iran, Italy and the Republic of Korea to slow the virus and control their epidemics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We know that these measures are taking a heavy toll on societies and economies, just as they did in China.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All countries must strike a fine balance between protecting health, minimizing economic and social disruption, and respecting human rights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WHO\u2019s mandate is public health. But we\u2019re working with many partners across all sectors to mitigate the social and economic consequences of this pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is not just a public health crisis, it is a crisis that will touch every sector \u2013 so every sector and every individual must be involved in the fight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have said from the beginning that countries must take a whole-of-government, whole-of-society approach, built around a comprehensive strategy to prevent infections, save lives and minimize impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let me summarize it in four key areas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, prepare and be ready.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Second, detect, protect and treat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Third, reduce transmission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fourth, innovate and learn. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I remind all countries that we are calling on you to activate and scale up your emergency response mechanisms;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Communicate with your people about the risks and how they can protect themselves \u2013 this is everybody\u2019s business; <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find, isolate, test and treat every case and trace every contact;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready your hospitals;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Protect and train your health workers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And let\u2019s all look out for each other, because we need each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

===<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s been so much attention on one word.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let me give you some other words that matter much more, and that are much more actionable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prevention. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Preparedness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Public health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Political leadership. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And most of all, people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019re in this together, to do the right things with calm and protect the citizens of the world. It\u2019s doable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I thank you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sources<\/h2>\n\n\n\n