coronavirus has been declared as a global emergency by the World Health Organization. The outbreak continues to spread outside China.
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.
“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.
Speaking at a news conference in Geneva, Dr Tedros described the virus as an “unprecedented outbreak” that has been met with an “unprecedented response”.
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:
* Swine flu, 2009 -The H1N1 virus spread across the world in 2009, killing more than 200,000 people
* Polio, 2014 – Although closer than ever to eradication in 2012, polio numbers rose in 2013
* Zika, 2016 – The WHO declared Zika a public health emergency in 2016 after the disease spread rapidly through the Americas
* Ebola, 2014 and 2019 – The first emergency over the virus lasted from August 2014 to March 2016 as almost 30,000 people were infected and more than 11,000 died in West Africa. A second emergency was declared last year as an outbreak spread in DR Congo
While this is a serious case of an epidemic, with fatal consequences, US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said that the deadly coronavirus outbreak in China, that has so far killed 213 people and infected nearly 10,000 people in the Asian giant, could be positive for the American economy.
The coronavirus has forced global companies including tech giants, car makers and retailers to temporarily shut down in China as authorities imposed extended Lunar New Year and major travel restrictions across the country.
While responding to a question in a TV interview on Thursday about whether the outbreak was a risk to the US economy, Ross said: “I don”t want to talk about a victory lap over a very unfortunate, very malignant disease.”
“The fact is, it does give business yet another thing to consider when they go through their review of their supply chain… So I think it will help to accelerate the return of jobs to North America,” he added.
Later theCommerce Department echoed the Secretary”s comments, saying : “As Secretary Ross made clear the first step is to bring the virus under control and help the victims of this disease.
“It is also important to consider the ramifications of doing business with a country that has a long history of covering up real risks to its own people and the rest of the world.”
The remarks made by the secretary have been heavily criticised, with Democrat congressman Don Beyer taking to Twitter to question finding business advantages during the deadly outbreak.
Ross’ comments were criticized by many on social media as insensitive. Netizens took it to many social media platforms which ignited a discussion over the issue.
“These people are so sick and heartless. And just imagine the uproar if a member of any other administration said this,” said radio host Michelangelo Signorile.
It was not the first time Ross has been accused of callousness.
Outside of China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, other countries with confirmed cases include the US, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia, South Korea, India, Japan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Canada, United Arab Emirates, Finland, Australia, France and Germany.
