WHO Finally Declares 'Novel Coronavirus' International Public Health Emergency (Comprehensive)

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The World Health Organization (WHO) declared a "Public Health Emergency of International Concern" (PHEIC) regarding the novel coronavirus on the 30th (local time).

The international emergency is a measure used only for the most serious infectious diseases, and this is the sixth time it has been declared. WHO stated that despite the declaration of the emergency, it does not recommend restricting trade and travel.

WHO had discussed declaring a health emergency for the novel coronavirus on the 23rd but did not reach a conclusion, citing the need for more data. After one week, as cases spread not only in China but worldwide and human-to-human transmission was confirmed, WHO reversed its position. On the same day, the first human-to-human transmission case was reported in the United States.

WHO had hinted at the possibility of declaring an emergency by convening an emergency meeting a day earlier, pointing out the spread of human-to-human transmission outside China.

Meanwhile, WHO announced that as of this day, the total confirmed cases of novel coronavirus infection amounted to 7,818. In China, there were 7,736 cases including 170 deaths, and in other regions, 82 cases across 18 countries.