Global Solidarity, Collaboration and Urgent Action Needed to Defeat the New Coronavirus Outbreak

Once in a very rare while, a single, serious challenge consumes the attention of the entire world. We are living through one such period today as countries and communities come together to end the new coronavirus outbreak. This virus, provisionally known as the “2019-novel coronavirus,” has, as of 3 February 2020, spread to 24 countries, with over 17,000 people being infected to date, 99% of them in China. The limited numbers of cases elsewhere around the world – just 153 so far – show that efforts to contain the virus in China are curbing its global spread, alongside the detection and clinical care measures that have been rapidly put into motion in other countries. I understand the worry many people around the world feel today. We have been introduced to a new virus that is causing a wide range of symptoms in those infected. One in five of all infected people are suffering severe reactions, including pneumonia and respiratory failure. Fortunately, for most people the effects have been mild. When a new virus emerges, there are always many uncertainties about how it spreads, the disease it causes and the impact it will have. The World Health Organization is working around the clock with affected countries and a global network of partners to address these unknowns. We are gathering knowledge daily from China and other countries with confirmed cases. We know that the incubation period of the virus is 1-14 days, based on current information, and that unde...
Source: TIME: Health - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Uncategorized health ideas Source Type: news