WHO declares coronavirus a pandemic

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday announced that the coronavirus (COVID 19) is a pandemic. "We have therefore made the assessment that COVID-19 can be characterized as a pandemic," WHO said in a statement. While speaking at the COVID-19 media briefing, the WHO Director-General stated that "WHO has been assessing this outbreak around the clock and we are deeply concerned both by the alarming levels of spread and severity and by the alarming levels of inaction."

What is a pandemic?

Pandemic is not just a word. It is a term that, if misused, can cause unreasonable fear that the fight is over, leading to unnecessary suffering and deaths. Pandemic has nothing to do with the changes to the characteristics of a disease. It is associated with concerns over its spreading.

As per the World Health Organization, a pandemic is declared when a disease for which people do not have immunity spreads around the world.

"We are not at the mercy of this virus"

The WHO Director-General stated on Monday that "We are not at the mercy of this virus." WHO stated that all the countries must aim to stop transmission and prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Also Read | Coronavirus: Everything you need to know about the deadly virus

WHO took to Twitter and wrote: "' Now that the coronavirus has a foothold in so many countries, the threat of a pandemic has become very real. But it would be the first pandemic in history that could be controlled. The bottom line is: we are not at the mercy of this virus'-@DrTedros."

-PTC News