Coronavirus: World in 'uncharted territory'

2020-03-03 02:32:28

The world is in "uncharted territory" on the coronavirus outbreak, the World Health Organization (WHO) has said. Its chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said the virus was "unique" but could be contained with the right measures. Deaths globally have passed 3,000. Most are in China but over the past day there were nine times more new infections outside China than inside. Dr Tedros insisted: "We can push this virus back". He also said stigma was more dangerous than the disease itself. The WHO chief said the development of the Covid-19 disease globally was not a "one-way street" and could be combated if countries acted quickly and effectively - starting with containment measures. "There is no choice but to act now," he said. One of the countries worst affected outside China - Italy - on Monday saw a jump in its death toll from 34 to 52.