The World Health Organization has declared a global emergency after a spike in cases of a new virus from China in recent days.
China has reported more than 7,800 cases, including about 170 deaths in connection with the coronavirus. Eighteen other countries have also reported some cases.
In a conference today, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus offered praise for the measures taken by the Chinese government in order to curb the outbreak.
“We would have seen many more cases outside China by now – and probably deaths – if it were not for the government’s efforts, and the progress they have made to protect their own people and the people of the world.
The speed with which China detected the outbreak, isolated the virus, sequenced the genome and shared it with WHO and the world are very impressive, and beyond words.”
– from statement by Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
The Director-General says the declaration of emergency was made as a call to action to halt the epidemic from spreading further, and prevent the virus from reaching countries with weaker health systems.
Read more on the World Health Organization’s declaration via this link.
NL Risk Level “Quite Low”: Minister Haggie
Provincial health minister John Haggie says the risk in this province remains quite low.
He says your risk is only there if you have traveled to Wuhan, or you have spent an extended period of time with someone who is sick, and has spent time in Wuhan.
He indicates that the province is as prepared as it can be at this stage, and is closely monitoring the situation.
Update on nCOV in NL. #GovNL @PremierofNL @nlliberals @HCS_GovNL @GovCanHealth #nlhealth #nlpoli @CPHO_Canada @PattyHajdu pic.twitter.com/t04vlRw2vl
— John Haggie (@Johnrockdoc) January 30, 2020
