Yahoo Sports Coronavirus: Extremely dangerous epidemic could easily reignite, warns World Health Organization
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned the coronavirus pandemic could easily reignite if countries become complacent.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus issued the advice on Wednesday during a press conference.
He said most of the epidemics in Western Europe appeared to be stable or declining but added there were worrying upward trends in Africa, Central and South America, and Eastern Europe.
He said most countries were still in the early stages of the outbreak.
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Dr Tedros said: "There’s no question that #StayHome orders and other physical distancing measures have successfully suppressed transmission in many countries.
“But this virus remains extremely dangerous.
“Early evidence suggests most of the world’s population remains susceptible. That means epidemics can easily re-ignite.
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"One of the greatest dangers we face now is complacency.
“People in countries with #StayHome orders are understandably frustrated with being confined to their homes for weeks on end.
"People understandably want to get on with their lives.
“That’s what WHO wants too and is working for, all day, every day.”
He warned some countries that were affected early in the pandemic were now starting to see a resurgence in cases.
He added: “Make no mistake: we have a long way to go. This virus will be with us for a long time.”
Dr Tedros added the world could not go back to the way it was and there must be a “new normal” that is “healthier, safer and better prepared.”
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WHO also continued to defend itself against allegations it reacted too slow to the pandemic.
It said it called a global health emergency at the right moment on 30 January and this gave countries enough time to react.
Dr Tedros announced there had been almost 2.5 million cases of COVID-19 around the world, with 160,000 deaths.
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