Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the WHO, has declared coronavirus a 'pandemic.' EPA
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the WHO, has declared coronavirus a 'pandemic.' EPA
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the WHO, has declared coronavirus a 'pandemic.' EPA
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the WHO, has declared coronavirus a 'pandemic.' EPA

WHO officially declares coronavirus a pandemic


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The coronavirus outbreak has officially been categorised as a pandemic by the World Health Organisation.

On Wednesday evening, the WHO said that the number of cases outside China had risen 13-fold, while the number of affected countries tripled in the past two weeks.

"The WHO has been assessing this outbreak around the clock and we are deeply concerned both by the alarming levels of spread and severity, and by the alarming levels of inaction," said director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

"Pandemic is not a word to use lightly or carelessly.”

There are more than 118,000 reported cases in 114 countries, with at least 4,291 deaths.

"Thousands more are fighting for their lives in hospitals,” Dr Tedros said.

He said he expected the number of affected countries to rise.

Dr Tedros said 81 countries had reported no cases and 57 countries had fewer than 10 infected patients.

He urged governments to take stronger preventive action.

"We have called every day for countries to take urgent and aggressive action," Dr Tedros said. "We have rung the alarm bell loud and clear.

"We cannot say this loudly enough, or clearly enough, or often enough. All countries can still change the course of this pandemic."

He said several countries, including South Korea and China, proved the virus could be suppressed and controlled.

Some countries are dealing with a lack of capacity or resources, while others struggle with a lack of resolve, Dr Tedros said.

America’s top infectious disease specialist told US politicians that the coronavirus pathogen is 10 times deadlier than seasonal flu.

Meanwhile, Iran's first vice president Eshaq Jahangiri had coronavirus diagnosed.

Mr Jahangiri is the highest-ranking official to contract the illness known as Covid-19.

The Kuwait government grounded all commercial flights from Friday and announced a two-week public holiday that will close all workplaces until March 26.

The number of confirmed cases in Qatar jumped by 238 to 262, the Health Ministry said.

And Lebanon announced all flights to and from Italy, Iran, South Korea and China would be suspended.

Lebanese citizens hoping to return home from countries with high infection rates were given a four-day deadline.

After that, travel to France, Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Germany, Spain and the UK would be suspended.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

GOLF’S RAHMBO

- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)

GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900

if you go

The flights Fly Dubai, Air Arabia, Emirates, Etihad, and Royal Jordanian all offer direct, three-and-a-half-hour flights from the UAE to the Jordanian capital Amman. Alternatively, from June Fly Dubai will offer a new direct service from Dubai to Aqaba in the south of the country. See the airlines’ respective sites for varying prices or search on reliable price-comparison site Skyscanner.

The trip 

Jamie Lafferty was a guest of the Jordan Tourist Board. For more information on adventure tourism in Jordan see Visit Jordan. A number of new and established tour companies offer the chance to go caving, rock-climbing, canyoning, and mountaineering in Jordan. Prices vary depending on how many activities you want to do and how many days you plan to stay in the country. Among the leaders are Terhaal, who offer a two-day canyoning trip from Dh845 per person. If you really want to push your limits, contact the Stronger Team. For a more trek-focused trip, KE Adventure offers an eight-day trip from Dh5,300 per person.

Four-day collections of TOH

Day             Indian Rs (Dh)        

Thursday    500.75 million (25.23m)

Friday         280.25m (14.12m)

Saturday     220.75m (11.21m)

Sunday       170.25m (8.58m)

Total            1.19bn (59.15m)

(Figures in millions, approximate)

The National's picks

4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets