The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Thursday said no fewer than 200,000 cases of Coronavirus ( COVID-19) have now been reported to WHO and 8,000 people have lost their lives.
WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, gave the update on the agency’s website.
Ghebreyesus said that more than 80 per cent of all cases are from two regions – the Western Pacific and Europe.
“We know that many countries now face escalating epidemics and are feeling overwhelmed.
“We hear you. We know the tremendous difficulties you face and the enormous burden you are under. We understand the heart-wrenching choices you are having to make.
“We understand that different countries and communities are in different situations, with different levels of transmission.’’
The Director General added that WHO was talking to Ministers of Health, Heads of State, health workers, hospital managers, industry leaders, CEOs and more every day.
“WHO was talking to the stakeholders to help them prepare and prioritize, according to their specific situation.
“Don’t assume your community won’t be affected. Prepare as if it will be; don’t assume you won’t be infected. Prepare as if you will be.
“But there is hope. There are many things all countries can do.
“Physical distancing measures – like cancelling sporting events, concerts and other large gatherings – can help to slow transmission of the virus.
“They can reduce the burden on the health system; they can help to make epidemics manageable, allowing targeted and focused measures,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, the agency said there are now over 633 confirmed cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Africa.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional office for Africa in Brazzaville, Congo, stated that 33 countries have been affected.
