WHO: Epidemic in China Peaked, Not A Pandemic Yet

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on 24 February that the WHO-China joint mission concluded its visit and estimated that the measures taken in China have averted a significant number of cases. The team found that the epidemic peaked and has not become a pandemic yet. The key message that should give all countries confidence is that this virus can be contained. He said that the team has traveled to several different provinces, including Wuhan and made a range of findings about the transmissibility of the virus, the severity of disease and the impact of the measures taken.

The team found that the epidemic in China peaked and plateaued between 23 January and 2 February, and has been declining steadily since then. For people with mild disease, recovery time is about two weeks, while people with severe or critical disease recover within three to six weeks. The measures taken in China have averted a significant number of cases.

On the current situation globally, Dr. Tedros said that the outbreak has not become a global pandemic yet, but it is time for countries to focus on preparedness.

Dr. Tedros calls on all countries to make their own risk assessments for their own contexts, and focus on three priorities. First, all countries must prioritize protecting health workers. Second, communities must be engaged to protect people who are most at risk of severe diseases, particularly the elderly and people with underlying health conditions. Third, efforts should be made to protect countries that are the most vulnerable, by doing the utmost to contain epidemics in countries with the capacity to do it.