ഹാജി സി. എച്ച്. എം. കെ. എം. എച്ച്. എസ്. വള്ളക്കടവ്/അക്ഷരവൃക്ഷം/CORONA THE GLOBAL PANDEMIC
CORONA THE GLOBAL PANDEMIC
The use of the p-word by the WHO to describe the global spread of this new coronavirus is not a huge surprise. Up until now, it has talked merely of the "threat" or the "potential" for a pandemic. But with cases in more than 100 countries, and increasing numbers not linked to travel, the language has changed. The WHO no longer 'declares' a pandemic the way it used to, so this is as official as it gets. Yet this doesn't mean the pandemic cannot be controlled, it explains. It's a call to action and a plea for all countries not to give up, no matter how large the number of cases. Practically, countries are being told to continue to do what they have been advised to do. That means some may have to step up their response. But the WHO is not changing what it's doing or the threat level of the virus. What the use of the word "pandemic" highlights is the importance of countries around the world taking urgent action to respond to their own outbreaks - because now it's everyone's responsibility to turn the tide on the virus. France said there had been 48 deaths in the country, an increase of 15 from Tuesday. There are 2,281 confirmed cases. Coronavirus-linked restrictions have been extended to two more areas, France's health minister said. In the western US, Washington state is banning some large gatherings in certain areas and has told all school districts to prepare for possible closures in the coming days. The governor of Seattle's King County said he expected a serious coronavirus outbreak within weeks. In the eastern US, New York's governor announced that troops would be sent into New Rochelle, in an attempt to contain an outbreak of the virus, as the total number of US cases passed 1,000 on Wednesday.
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