The head of the World Health Organization warned of the “very grave threat” coronavirus poses to the world a day after WHO experts arrived in China to investigate the outbreak.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that the threat of the virus extends beyond just China on Tuesday, as the death toll climbed above 1,000 with more than 43,000 more infected.
“With 99% of cases in China, this remains very much an emergency for that country, but one that holds a very grave threat for the rest of the world,” Tedros said during a conference call with researchers.
Speaking to experts from around the world, Tedros said that global collaboration would be needed in order to develop and test a vaccine. He also highlighted how quickly the contagion has spread.
“It’s hard to believe that just two months ago, this virus, which has come to captivate the attention of media, financial markets, and political leaders, was completely unknown to us,” Tedros said.
Tedros first met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in January and convinced him to allow experts into the country to investigate the outbreak. An international WHO team first arrived in China on Monday.
Xi was seen touring Beijing on Monday while wearing a surgical mask. He met with residents and visited a hospital after an extended public absence. The appearance was viewed as a way for him to show leadership and project authority during the worst Chinese health crisis since the 2002-2003 SARS outbreak.
The WHO has issued a declaration calling the outbreak a global public health emergency.
