On the evening of 1 1, Geneva time, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially announced that the COVID-19 epidemic has constituted a global "epidemic". According to the data released by WHO on the same day, the COVID-19 epidemic has swept at least 1 14 countries and regions, resulting in more than118,000 infections and more than 4,000 deaths.

"In the past two weeks, the number of cases outside China has increased by 13, and the number of countries (and regions) where the epidemic has occurred has tripled," said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO, at a regular press conference that day. He is worried about the speed and seriousness of the epidemic and the lack of action by countries.

On March 1 1, the Director-General of the World Health Organization Tedros Adanom Gai breyer Seuss (centre) attended a press conference in Geneva. On the same day, Tan Desai, Director-General of the World Health Organization, said that the COVID-19 epidemic had epidemic characteristics.

Shen Yi, an international scholar at Fudan University, said that the declaration of an "epidemic" by WHO meant that the time that China had won for the world was wasted. "China has been sharing its experience with the world since the outbreak of the epidemic, but it seems that these experiences have been ignored."

On the 9th of this month, WHO said that the threat of COVID-19 epidemic "has become very real". 654381October 30th, WHO declared that the COVID-19 epidemic constituted a public health emergency of international concern.

The last time who declared an "epidemic situation" was during the "swine flu (H 1N 1)" in 2009. According to the definition published by WHO, "epidemic situation" refers to the global spread of a new disease, but it does not give a more specific description and criteria for determining "epidemic situation". Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said earlier that whether the epidemic was judged as an "epidemic" was mainly based on the assessment of the geographical distribution of the virus and the severity of the disease. It is generally believed in the world that diseases identified as "epidemics" will affect a large part of the global population and exert great pressure on the health care system.

Chen, assistant professor of global health policy and economics at Yale University, said in an interview on June 5438+02 that declaring the new epidemic as an "epidemic" did not change his fundamental view on the epidemic. Although it is not legally binding, it can call on all mankind to deal with this public health threat. "The' epidemic' means that this is no longer a matter for a certain country, but for all citizens in the world."

Ted Rosadhanom Ghebreyesus11also said that the official use of "epidemic situation" would not change WHO's assessment of the threat to COVID-19.

Chen said that after declaring it an epidemic, it will strengthen resource sharing, information sharing and international coordination with other countries, and do everything possible to prevent the epidemic from spreading rapidly. At present, strengthening basic protection is the most necessary measure for all countries to reduce the epidemic peak as much as possible and prevent the medical system from being overwhelmed by the surge of patients.

WHO acknowledges that COVID-19 has brought unprecedented challenges to the world. WHO spokesman Tariq Jasarevich said in an interview on June 5438+00 that it is impossible to predict the spread of novel coronavirus because it is a new virus with many unknown factors, especially in terms of severity and infectivity.

Ted Rosadhanom Ghebreyesus11said, "We have never seen an epidemic caused by coronavirus, and we have never seen an epidemic that can be controlled." "We call on all countries to take urgent and positive actions every day. We have sounded the alarm, loud and clear. "

Article source: Global Times