2019nCoV has become the Public Health Emergency of International Concern infecting more than 10000 people in China alone
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared the spread of coronavirus as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), on Thursday, i.e., January 30, 2020.
This is the 6th time WHO has declared a PHEIC since it got the authority to make such declarations in 2005. The declaration was made in a Press Conference in Geneva by the Director of WHO – General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. He also mentioned that this declaration is not a move of no confidence in China’s ability to control the outbreak. Prior to this, WHO had issued PHEICs in response to an outbreak of the Zika virus in South America in 2016 and Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2019.
Taking it to twitter, he said, “I am declaring a public health emergency of international concern over the global outbreak of #2019nCoV, not because of what is happening in #China, but because of what is happening in other countries.”
I am declaring a public health emergency of international concern over the global outbreak of #2019nCoV, not because of what is happening in #China, but because of what is happening in other countries.https://t.co/HNrxyGeoBA
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) January 30, 2020
Referring to China’s response in tackling the outbreak, he tweeted, “In many ways, #China is actually setting a new standard for outbreak response. 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. #2019nCoV”
In many ways, #China is actually setting a new standard for outbreak response. 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. #2019nCoVhttps://t.co/GdUQZGvzkd
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) January 30, 2020
Urging quick action from countries, he posted, “We must act now to help countries prepare for that possibility. This is the time for facts, not fear. This is the time for science, not rumours. This is the time for solidarity, not stigma. #2019nCoV”
We must act now to help countries prepare for that possibility.
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) January 30, 2020
This is the time for facts, not fear.
This is the time for science, not rumours.
This is the time for solidarity, not stigma.#2019nCoV https://t.co/nda2uf2ExC
Apart from making this declaration, Ghebreyesus also highlighted a few recommendations for countries, as they prepare themselves to battle with the outbreak. The recommendations include measures such as accelerating the development of a vaccine, reviewing preparedness plans, combating the spread of misinformation and sharing data with the United Nations body.
Simultaneously and against what countries are doing, WHO also mentioned that severe travel restrictions are not required. Recently, Moscow announced to close sections of the Russia-China border and suspension of visas for Chinese visitors. United States (U.S.) and Japan have arranged chartered flights to Wuhan to extract their citizens from China. A lot of international carries have also suspended flights to China.
Following the WHO’s declaration, the Director of the Foreign Ministry Information Department of the China – Hua Chunying said Beijing would continue to work with WHO and other countries to safeguard global and regional public health security.
Speaking on the occasion, she said, “We completely have the confidence and capability to win this fight against the epidemic.”
Meanwhile, China marked its most fatal day on January 30, 2020 as there were 40 deaths, owing to Coronavirus, in a single day. All these cases were reported from Hubei Province in China. The total death count has reached 213 and there are more than 10,000 cases of coronavirus in China.
The Chinese authorities have confirmed that there is an increase of almost 2,000 cases as compared to a day earlier. The tally also surpasses the 2003 figures of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which infected 8,098 people worldwide, killing 774.
As a safety measure, the Singapore Government will distribute 4 masks each to 1.3 million households in the city. Hong Kong is struggling to maintain supply of masks, with many stores running out following an initial rush by residents to stock up. Italy has suspended flights to China after 2 Chinese tourists were diagnosed with coronavirus in Rome. India has also confirmed its first case of the virus – a student in the State of Kerala who was studying in Wuhan. Israel and Papua New Guinea have also banned all visitors from China.
