Coronavirus news - live: Outbreak declared international health emergency by WHO, as experts say UK risk has risen
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The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared the “unprecedented” outbreak of coronavirus an international public health emergency, as officials bid to prevent infections in countries with weak healthcare systems. Shortly afterwards, the UK’s four chief medical officers upgraded the risk level in Britain from low to moderate.
The WHO praised China‘s response to the outbreak which began in the city of Wuhan, and said that “we’re all in this together”. Director-general Tedros Adhanom said governments must work together “in a spirit of solidarity” to control the spread of the new pathogen.
Almost 8,000 cases have been recorded, including some 212 deaths. There are about 100 cases in countries outside China, and eight cases of human-to-human transmission in four countries. The announcement came as the UK prepared to bring its nationals back from Wuhan; they will be held in isolation for two weeks at a facility on Merseyside.
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A new case of the virus has been reported in France by health officials - bringing the total in the country to six.
France was the first European country to confirm a case when two people were announced to have carried the virus into the country from Wuhan last week. A third instance was announced soon after.
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The Boston Symphony Orchestra has cancelled its coming tour of Asia amid concerns about the deadly virus in China.
Andris Nelsons, the orchestra's music director, said Thursday that the decision was made out of concern for the "health and well-being" of its musicians.
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The esteemed orchestra had been scheduled to go on a four-city tour that included Seoul in South Korea, Taipei in Taiwan and Shanghai and Hong Kong in China from 6 to 16 February.
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WHO declares international health emergency over 'unprecedented outbreak'
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared a public health emergency of international concern following the spread of the Wuhan coronavirus - describing the event as an "unprecedented outbreak that has been met with an unprecedented response".
The announcement by the medical arm of the UN frees up additional finances to respond to the healthcare crisis, with officials citing the risk of the virus reaching a country with an underdeveloped healthcare system as the reason for the move.
The WHO's director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who visited China to consider the state's response to the spread of the disease from the Hubei province while meeting with president , said the nation "must be congratulated".
"We would have seen many more cases outside China by now - and probably deaths - if it were not for the government’s efforts and the progress they have made to protect their own people and the people of the world".
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UK's medical chiefs raise risk level of virus
The four chief medical officers of the UK have increased the risk level of coronavirus from low to moderate, adding they "do not think the risk to individuals in the UK has changed" but that the government should "plan for all eventualities".
The WHO believes its declaration will allow it to be tougher on countries that are preparing to resist the virus.
A declaration of a global emergency typically brings greater money and resources, but may also prompt nervous governments to restrict travel and trade to affected countries.
The announcement also imposes stricter disease-reporting requirements on governments.
Mr Tedros has said he does not support restrictions on travel to, or trade with, China because of the virus. He has been effusive in his praise for Beijing's response to the outbreak, following a visit with Xi Jinping recently.
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