The World Health Organization says the world is at a "decisive point" with regard to the COVID-19 outbreak.
During a briefing Thursday in Geneva, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus pointed out that over the past few days, the number of new cases reported in the rest of the world has exceeded the number of new cases in China, and that seven countries had confirmed cases for the first time.
He said his message to each of these countries is to move swiftly, stressing if they act aggressively now, they can contain the virus.
Dr. Tedros also named South Korea, Iran and Italy as examples of what the virus is capable of.
He reiterated that COVID-19 is a coronavirus, not influenza, and therefore with the right measures can be contained.
The WHO's position is the virus has "pandemic potential" and it is providing the tools to help every country to prepare accordingly.
Tedros emphasized that it's not the time for fear but for "taking action now to prevent infections and save lives now."■
<Photo: Yonhap News>
