YouTube download / AP video / The World Health Organization on Wednesday, March 11, 2020, declared the global coronavirus crisis is now a pandemic. So what does that mean? Experts weigh in to explain.
The World Health Organization , has declared the coronavirus a pandemic and is urging aggressive action from all countries to fight it, as U.S. stocks have plunged into bear market territory and several American cities joined global counterparts in banning large gatherings, according to the Associated Press.
The World Health Organization from its headquarters in in Geneva, Switzerland on Wednesday declared the outbreak a pandemic but said it’s not too late for countries to act. By using the word it had previously shied away from, the U.N. health agency appeared to want to shock lethargic countries into pulling out all the stops as cases mount globally. “We have called every day for countries to take urgent and aggressive action. We have rung the alarm bell loud and clear,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in an AP video feed.
The World Health Organization from its headquarters in in Geneva, Switzerland on Wednesday declared the outbreak a pandemic but said it’s not too late for countries to act. By using the word it had previously shied away from, the U.N. health agency appeared to want to shock lethargic countries into pulling out all the stops as cases mount globally.
“We have called every day for countries to take urgent and aggressive action. We have rung the alarm bell loud and clear,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in an AP video feed.
Ghebreyesus urged aggressive action from all countries to fight it, as U.S. stocks plunged into bear market territory and several American cities joined global counterparts in banning large gatherings.
On Wednesday evening the NBA suspended its season after one of the league's all-stars, Rudy Gobert, 27, tested positive for the coronavirus.
The NBA became the first major American sports league to suspend play, which raised questions about college basketball’s men's and women's championships (NCAA Road to the Final Four)s, which for now will be played without fans attending.
In Italy, soccer club Juventus said defender Daniele Rugani tested positive.
Iran and Italy are the new front lines of the fight against the virus that started in China, the WHO said.
“They’re suffering but I guarantee you other countries will be in that situation soon,” Dr. Mike Ryan, the WHO’s emergencies chief told the AP.
The pandemic really hit home for many Americans Wednesday after Hollywood actor Tom Hanks said he and his wife, Rita Wilson tested positive for the coronavirus.
AP's continuing coverage of the Coronavirus Pandemic
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