The global outbreak of the new coronavirus could now be considered a pandemic — a disease actively spreading globally
THE new coronavirus outbreak "is a controllable pandemic" if countries step up measures to tackle it, the head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Thursday (March 12).
WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus acknowledged on Wednesday that the global outbreak of the new coronavirus could now be considered a pandemic — a disease actively spreading globally.
But he told diplomats in Geneva that describing the outbreak as a pandemic should not mean that countries give up the fight to stop it spreading further.
"This is a controllable pandemic," he said, according to a statement of his remarks.
"We are deeply concerned that some countries are not approaching this threat with the level of political commitment needed to control it.
"The idea that countries should shift from containment to mitigation is wrong and dangerous," he stressed.
More than 4,500 people have died, according to an AFP tally, while the WHO said some 125,000 cases had been reported from 118 countries and territories.
"To save lives, we must reduce transmission," Dr Tedros insisted.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS China to battle against economic fallout
After securing an upper hand in its all-out confrontation with the novel coronavirus on home turf, China is warily repositioning itself to fight the economic fallouts of the outbreak already declared as a pandemic.
In stark contrast to the rapid spread elsewhere in the world, the virus spread has been basically contained in China, with new risks largely coming from imported cases. The National Health Commission said it received reports of 15 new confirmed cases on the mainland on Wednesday, among which six were imported cases.
Ireland closes schools
Ireland on Thursday announced the closure of all schools and colleges, and recommended the cancellation of mass gatherings as part of measures to combat the spread of the coronavirus.
Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said "schools, colleges and childcare facilities will close from tomorrow (Friday)", as would staterun cultural institutions.
Indoor events of more than 100 people and those outdoor involving over 500 "should be cancelled", Varadkar said in a statement in Washington, where he was on an official visit.
UK school closure
British PM Boris Johnson is chairing a COBRA crisis meeting Thursday afternoon, in which it is expected that a decision to close schools will be made.
This is according to information in the British press. According to Express, it is expected that schools in the UK will be closed from 20 March, lasting a full four weeks.
Teachers have been in formed that they must prepare "home-learning packs", and classes are expected to be delivered online. This article will be updated as information comes in following the COBRA meeting.
Spain virus toll soars
Coronavirus infections in Spain soared to nearly 3,000 on Thursday as the number of deaths almost doubled, rising to 84, the health ministry said.
As of 1200 GMT, there were 2,968 cases in Spain, up from 2,140 at 1700 GMT on Wednesday, a ministry statement said, with deaths leaping to 84 from 48 within the same time frame.
Real Madrid in quarantine
Real Madrid went into quarantine on Thursday as La Liga announced Spain's top two divisions will be suspended for at least two weeks over the coronavirus.
La Liga authorities made the decision after Real Madrid confirmed its senior football team is in quarantine after one of the club's basketball players tested positive for the virus.
Real Madrid's football and basketball players share facilities at Ciudad Real Madrid, the club's training ground in Valdebebas.
Duterte takes 'precautionary' virus test
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was tested for the new coronavirus on Thursday, officials said, as key government buildings were being disinfected over an exposure scare.
The Philippines has seen a jump this week in cases, including people who recently attended events with Senate lawmakers and government officials, potentially exposing them.
In response, the Senate building and Philippine central bank were undergoing cleaning, and several officials announced they would isolate themselves as a precaution.
Duterte, who at 74 is in a vulnerable age group for the virus, underwent testing because he has been in regular contact with some of those officials.
Manila under "community quarantine"
President Rodrigo Duterte said Thursday that Metro Manila will be put under "community quarantine," implementing restrictions and travel suspensions to and from the metropolis to contain infections of the new coronavirus.
Duterte announced the measures, effective from March 15 until April 14, during a televised national address.
Tom Hanks in hospital isolation
Hollywood megastar Tom Hanks and his singer-songwriter wife tested positive for the new coronavirus in Australia Thursday, forcing them into hospital isolation and leaving authorities to trace hundreds of contacts at their concerts and film sets.
Hanks and Rita Wilson, both 63, are being monitored at the Gold Coast University Hospital where they were "in a stable condition", according to Queensland state health officials.
Hanks revealed the shock diagnoses in a message that informed fans they had felt slightly ill and wanted to get tested to "play things right."
Hanks is the first major Hollywood star to publicly state that he has the virus that has sickened more than 125,000 people worldwide and killed more than 4,600.
Latin America steps up measures
Latin American countries stepped up measures to slow the advance of the coronavirus Wednesday, announcing a slew of restrictions on travelers from the worst-affected countries and shutting down major sports events.
Argentina, Colombia and Peru said travelers from China, Italy, Spain and France would be isolated on arrival.
El Salvador went further, with President Nayib Bukele announcing late Wednesday the Central American country would ban entry to all foreigners for a period of 21 days.
The move would affect "any foreigner who is not a resident or diplomat" posted in the country, Bukele said, adding that Salvadorans arriving from countries hit by the virus would face a 30-day quarantine.
Iran's coronavirus cases top 10,000
Iran reported Thursday that its coronavirus infection cases have topped 10,000, with the death toll rising 75 to 429.
The worst-hit country in the Middle East and the third in the world after China and Italy added 1,075 cases from the previous day, taking the total number of infections to 10,075, according to a Health Ministry spokesman.
Iranian authorities have asked the public to stay home and refrain from making nonessential travels. But Health Minister Saeed Namaki, speaking to local media on Thursday, sought cooperation from the public for anti-infection efforts on grounds that it has not been sufficient.
New York postpones St Patrick's Day parade
New York City has postponed its annual St Patrick's Day parade over the global coronavirus pandemic, officials said late Wednesday, days after other events in US cities were canceled.
State governor Andrew Cuomo said the decision was taken after a meeting with parade organizers.
"One of the most effective ways to contain the spread of the virus is to limit large gatherings and close contacts, and I applaud the parade's leadership for working cooperatively with us," said New York state governor Andrew Cuomo in a statement.
New York's St. Patrick's Day parade is the largest in the United States and typically attracts two million spectators.
REFERENCES
WHO; Xinhua, AFP; Kyodo News Updates
