[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on the 3rd (local time) that the fatality rate of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) is 3.4%, which is higher than that of seasonal influenza (flu). Deaths are rapidly increasing mainly in Italy and Iran, and concerns are growing that the fatality rate will rise further as the number of deaths in the United States, which had relatively less damage, has reached nine.
According to foreign media such as CNBC, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated at a press briefing held at the WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, on the same day, "Based on the cases reported worldwide so far, the fatality rate of COVID-19 is 3.4%," adding, "This is much higher than the fatality rate of seasonal flu, which is less than 1%." The fatality rate mentioned by Director-General Ghebreyesus was calculated by dividing the number of deaths, 3,110, by the total confirmed cases worldwide, 90,893, as tallied by WHO up to the previous day.
He explained, "COVID-19 is an unknown virus for which no effective treatment has yet been identified." However, he added, "It is a disease with a lower transmission rate compared to seasonal flu, and the most concerning asymptomatic cases account for only about 1%. Most confirmed cases show symptoms within two days." He further emphasized, "Although there is no vaccine or treatment yet, clinical trials and more than 20 development studies are underway."
Despite confirmed cases appearing worldwide, WHO is still hesitant to classify COVID-19 as a pandemic. Director-General Ghebreyesus said, "If COVID-19 were like the flu, we would already see widespread community transmission globally," adding, "The important point is that COVID-19 can still be suppressed through isolation measures." It is known that WHO is still discussing the application of the pandemic status for COVID-19 with member states and other organizations.
Contrary to the WHO Director-General’s optimistic outlook, COVID-19 has spread to more than 70 countries worldwide as of the previous day. The United States, which had reported relatively fewer cases, now has over 100 confirmed cases. According to foreign media such as CNN, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that the cumulative confirmed cases in the country reached 118, with nine deaths as of that day. In Italy and Iran, the cumulative confirmed cases surpassed 2,000, with 2,502 and 2,366 cases respectively. The cumulative deaths surged to 79 in Italy and 77 in Iran. The rapid increase in deaths is centered on Italy, which has a large elderly population vulnerable to COVID-19, and Iran, where diagnostic tools and medical equipment are lacking following Western economic sanctions.
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