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| Coronavirus declared global health emergency by WHO | Coronavirus declared global health emergency by WHO |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| The new coronavirus has been declared a global emergency by the World Health Organization, as the outbreak continues to spread outside China. | The new coronavirus has been declared a global emergency by the World Health Organization, as the outbreak continues to spread outside China. |
| "The main reason for this declaration is not what is happening in China but what is happening in other countries," said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. | "The main reason for this declaration is not what is happening in China but what is happening in other countries," said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. |
| The concern is that it could spread to countries with weaker health systems. | The concern is that it could spread to countries with weaker health systems. |
| Meanwhile, the US has told its citizens not to travel to China. | Meanwhile, the US has told its citizens not to travel to China. |
| The state department issued a level four warning - having previously urged Americans to "reconsider" travel to China - and said any citizens in China "should consider departing using commercial means". | |
| At least 213 people have died in China - mostly in Hubei province where the virus emerged - with almost 10,000 cases nationally. | At least 213 people have died in China - mostly in Hubei province where the virus emerged - with almost 10,000 cases nationally. |
| The WHO said there had been 98 cases in 18 other countries, but no deaths. | The WHO said there had been 98 cases in 18 other countries, but no deaths. |
| Most international cases are in people who had been to the Chinese city of Wuhan in Hubei. | Most international cases are in people who had been to the Chinese city of Wuhan in Hubei. |
| However, there have been eight cases of human-to-human infection - in Germany, Japan, Vietnam and the United States. | However, there have been eight cases of human-to-human infection - in Germany, Japan, Vietnam and the United States. |
| Speaking at a news conference in Geneva, Dr Tedros described the virus as an "unprecedented outbreak" that has been met with an "unprecedented response". | Speaking at a news conference in Geneva, Dr Tedros described the virus as an "unprecedented outbreak" that has been met with an "unprecedented response". |
| He praised the "extraordinary measures" Chinese authorities had taken, and said there was no reason to limit trade or travel to China. | He praised the "extraordinary measures" Chinese authorities had taken, and said there was no reason to limit trade or travel to China. |
| "Let me be clear, this declaration is not a vote of no confidence in China," he said. | "Let me be clear, this declaration is not a vote of no confidence in China," he said. |
| But various countries have taken steps to close borders or cancel flights, and companies like Google, Ikea, Starbucks and Tesla have closed their shops or stopped operations. | But various countries have taken steps to close borders or cancel flights, and companies like Google, Ikea, Starbucks and Tesla have closed their shops or stopped operations. |
| The US Commerce Secretary, Wilbur Ross, has said the outbreak could "accelerate the return of jobs to North America". | The US Commerce Secretary, Wilbur Ross, has said the outbreak could "accelerate the return of jobs to North America". |
| Preparing other countries | Preparing other countries |
| What happens if this virus finds its way into a country that cannot cope? | What happens if this virus finds its way into a country that cannot cope? |
| Many low- and middle-income countries simply lack the tools to spot or contain it. The fear is it could spread uncontrollably and that it may go unnoticed for some time. | Many low- and middle-income countries simply lack the tools to spot or contain it. The fear is it could spread uncontrollably and that it may go unnoticed for some time. |
| Remember this is a disease which emerged only last month - and yet there are already almost 10,000 confirmed cases in China. | Remember this is a disease which emerged only last month - and yet there are already almost 10,000 confirmed cases in China. |
| The 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa - the largest in human history - showed how easily poorer countries can be overwhelmed by such outbreaks. | The 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa - the largest in human history - showed how easily poorer countries can be overwhelmed by such outbreaks. |
| And if novel coronavirus gets a significant foothold in such places, then it would be incredibly difficult to contain. | And if novel coronavirus gets a significant foothold in such places, then it would be incredibly difficult to contain. |
| We are not at that stage yet - 99% of cases are in China and the WHO is convinced the country can control the outbreak there. | We are not at that stage yet - 99% of cases are in China and the WHO is convinced the country can control the outbreak there. |
| But declaring a global emergency allows the WHO to support lower- and middle-income countries to strengthen their disease surveillance - and prepare them for cases. | But declaring a global emergency allows the WHO to support lower- and middle-income countries to strengthen their disease surveillance - and prepare them for cases. |
| How unusual is this declaration? | How unusual is this declaration? |
| The WHO declares a Public Health Emergency of International Concern when there is "an extraordinary event which is determined… to constitute a public health risk to other states through the international spread of disease". | The WHO declares a Public Health Emergency of International Concern when there is "an extraordinary event which is determined… to constitute a public health risk to other states through the international spread of disease". |
| It has previously declared five global public health emergencies: | It has previously declared five global public health emergencies: |
| How is China handling the outbreak? | How is China handling the outbreak? |
| A confirmed case in Tibet means the virus has reached every region in mainland China. According to the country's National Health Commission, 9,692 cases have tested positive. | A confirmed case in Tibet means the virus has reached every region in mainland China. According to the country's National Health Commission, 9,692 cases have tested positive. |
| The central province of Hubei, where nearly all deaths have occurred, is in a state of lockdown. The province of 60 million people is home to Wuhan, the heart of the outbreak. | The central province of Hubei, where nearly all deaths have occurred, is in a state of lockdown. The province of 60 million people is home to Wuhan, the heart of the outbreak. |
| The city has effectively been sealed off and China has put numerous transport restrictions in place to curb the spread of the virus. | The city has effectively been sealed off and China has put numerous transport restrictions in place to curb the spread of the virus. |
| People who have been in Hubei are also being told to work from home until it is considered safe for them to return. | People who have been in Hubei are also being told to work from home until it is considered safe for them to return. |
| The virus is affecting China's economy, the world's second-largest, with a growing number of countries advising their citizens to avoid all non-essential travel to the country. | The virus is affecting China's economy, the world's second-largest, with a growing number of countries advising their citizens to avoid all non-essential travel to the country. |
| How is the world responding? | How is the world responding? |
| Voluntary evacuations of hundreds of foreign nationals from Wuhan are under way. | Voluntary evacuations of hundreds of foreign nationals from Wuhan are under way. |
| The UK, Australia, South Korea, Singapore and New Zealand are expected to quarantine all evacuees for two weeks to monitor them for symptoms and avoid contagion. | The UK, Australia, South Korea, Singapore and New Zealand are expected to quarantine all evacuees for two weeks to monitor them for symptoms and avoid contagion. |
| Australia plans to quarantine its evacuees on Christmas Island, 2,000km (1,200 miles) from the mainland in a detention centre that has been used to house asylum seekers. | Australia plans to quarantine its evacuees on Christmas Island, 2,000km (1,200 miles) from the mainland in a detention centre that has been used to house asylum seekers. |
| In other recent developments: | In other recent developments: |
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