In a media briefing, Dr. Ghebreyesus said:
“In the days and weeks ahead, we expect to see the number of COVID-19 cases, the number of deaths, and the number of affected countries climb even higher. 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. We have therefore made the assessment that COVID-19 can be characterized as a pandemic.”
Dr. Ghebreyesus also noted a 13-fold increase in cases outside of China over the past two weeks, and called on governments to take “aggressive and urgent action,” saying that they need to “strike a fine balance between protecting health, minimising disruption and respecting human life.”
Press conference: Luxembourg bans events of more than 1000 people until 31 March
