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WATCH: WHO declares Coronavirus a global health emergency
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the Coronavirus epidemic that originated in China and has spread to at least 18 countries as “a public health emergency of international concern.”
Over 8,000 people around the world have now been identified to carry the infection that began from the Chinese state of Wuhan and reached all 31 provinces in China, according to Al Jazeera.
WHO director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made the announcement regarding the global health emergency following a meeting of the organization’s Emergency Committee that consists of an independent panel of experts.
Speaking at a press conference in Geneva, the WHO top official said that recent weeks saw an unprecedented outbreak that was met with an unprecedented response.
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— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) January 30, 2020
"For all of these reasons, I am declaring a public health emergency of international concern over the global outbreak of #2019nCoV."-@DrTedros
"Let me be clear, this declaration is not a vote of no confidence in China,” he stated.
Tedros explained that the decision comes in the wake of the highest concern of “the potential for the virus to spread to countries with weaker health systems.”
He further urged people to avoid falling for any rumors related to this infection saying that “This is the time for facts, not fear,” Tedros said. “This is the time for science, not rumors. This is the time for solidarity not stigma,” Bloomberg reported.
WHO has called on health authorities around the world to intensify their monitoring and preventive measures and coordinate with the UN health agency to combat the spread of the virus.
Earlier, Qatar announced that it is doing everything within its capacity to keep the infection at bay.
The country has shored up its monitoring efforts and continues to raise awareness of the disease and its symptoms among travelers as well as the public.
Here is a video released by Hamad Medical Corporation that explains all the key points regarding the infection as well as ways to safeguard oneself from contracting it:
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