Threat of coronavirus pandemic 'has become very real': WHO

The coronavirus is closer to causing a pandemic but outbreaks in countries can still be controlled through a combination of containment and mitigation measures, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Monday. WHO DIRECTOR-GENERAL, TEDROS GHEBREYESUS said "It's certainly troubling that so many people and countries have been affected so quickly. Now that, that the virus has a foothold in so many countries, the threat of a pandemic has become very real. But it would be the first pandemic in history that could be controlled. The bottom line is we're not at the mercy of the virus."

"For all countries, the aim is the same: stop transmission and prevent the spread of the virus."

Four countries account for 93% of the nearly 110,000 cases worldwide, Tedros said.