World Health Organization Declares ‘Global Health Emergency’ Over Coronavirus

‘In many ways, China is actually setting a new standard for outbreak response’

EXCERPT:

ADHANOM: “Although these numbers are still relatively small compared to the numbers of cases in China, we must all act together now to limit further spread. The vast majority of cases outside of China have a travel history to Wuhan or contact with someone with a travel history to Wuhan. We don’t know what sort of damage this virus could do if it were to spread in a country with a weaker health system. We must act now to help countries prepare for that possibility. For all of these reasons, I’m declaring a public health emergency of international concern over the global outbreak of Novel Coronavirus. The main reason for this declaration is not because of what is happening in China but because of what is happening in other countries. Our greatest concern is the potential for the virus to spread to countries with weaker health systems and which are ill-prepared to deal with it. Let me be clear, this declaration is not a vote of no confidence in China. On the contrary, WHO continues to have a confidence in China’s capacity to control the outbreak.”

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