WHO Updates on COVID-19 Situation End of February 2020
The World Health Organization (WHO) assessed the global risk of COVID-19 as very high on February 28, 2020. While new cases in China declined, the virus continued to spread to new countries.
On February 28, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) provided an update on the COVID-19 pandemic. The WHO Director-General stated that the risk of spread and impact of COVID-19 was assessed as very high globally. By late February, China reported 329 new cases, the lowest in over a month, but the virus's spread outside China continued.
The escalating situation was evident as several countries, including Denmark, Estonia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, and Nigeria, reported their first cases. These infections were often traced to Italy or Iran, indicating international transmission. The WHO emphasized that containment was still possible if measures such as early detection, isolation, and contact tracing were implemented promptly.
A joint WHO-China mission report was released, offering global recommendations. The report urged countries to increase public awareness, strengthen surveillance, and implement comprehensive governmental and societal measures. Concurrently, over 20 vaccines and several therapeutics were under global development and undergoing clinical trials.
The WHO reminded the public of basic protective measures, including regular hand hygiene and surface disinfection. It advised individuals to stay informed through credible sources and to avoid travel if experiencing fever or cough. Following these guidelines could reduce the risk of infection for oneself and others.