Over the past week, coronavirus cases have increased in many parts of the world. Many countries have attempted to control its spread, including the closure of schools and restaurants and the cancellation or postponement of sporting events.
But personal hygiene, social distancing and travel restrictions are clearly not enough to “quell this epidemic,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters on Monday.
“We have seen a fairly rapid escalation of outbreaks in testing, isolation and contact tracing,” Tedros said. It is the 'combination' of approaches that makes the difference.
“As I repeat, all countries must take a holistic approach, but the most effective way to prevent the spread of infection and save lives is to break the chains of transmission of the virus, and that requires testing and isolation,” Tedros said. “You cannot fight a fire blindfolded, and we cannot stop this pandemic if we do not know who is infected.”
“We have a simple message for all countries: testing, testing, testing, every suspected case,” he said. Therefore, people who have been in close contact with those who tested positive should be identified and tested.
Tedros said more tests are being produced to meet demand, noting that WHO has sent nearly 1.5 million tests to 120 countries.
Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, technical manager of the WHO Health Emergencies Program, added that countries need to increase the number of laboratories, the availability of test kits and the number of people who can conduct these tests.
The virus affects not only the elderly and people with chronic diseases.
Tedros also expressed concern about developing countries that could be hit by the crisis.
“We have seen epidemics in countries with advanced health systems, but even they are struggling to cope with the spread of the virus,” he said. “We are deeply concerned about the impact this might have on populations with high HIV prevalence or wasting. That is why we urge every country and every person to do everything possible to stop the transmission of the virus. '
“This amazing spirit of human solidarity must become even more contagious than the virus itself,” he said.
This article was published by Business Insider.
Sources: Photo: Mobile Testing Center, Czech Republic, March 13, 2020. (Getty Images / Stringer)
