Advertisement

Updated March 17th, 2020 at 11:45 IST

'Test, test, test': WHO chief on how countries should combat coronavirus outbreak

WHO has said on March 16 that the best way to combat the unprecedented outbreak of deadly coronavirus for all countries is to ramp up their testing programs.

Reported by: Aanchal Nigam
Test
| Image:self
Advertisement

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said on March 16 that the best way to combat the unprecedented outbreak of deadly coronavirus for all countries is to ramp up their testing programs. The WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a conference in Geneva that the “simple message” he has for all countries is “test, test, test”. He further added that the countries will remain unsuccessful to tackle the pandemic if they fail to test all suspected cases and remain “blindfolded”. 

WHO chief said, “But the most effective way to prevent infections and save lives is breaking the chains of transmission. And to do that, you must test and isolate. You cannot fight a fire blindfolded.

He added, "And we cannot stop this pandemic if we don’t know who is infected. We have a simple message for all countries: test, test, test. Test every suspected case.”

Read - Francisco Garcia, 21-year-old Spanish Football Coach Dies After Coronavirus Diagnosis

Trump administration under fire 

According to reports, the United States President Donald Trump’s administration is facing harsh scrutiny from the critics for being slow in gearing up of the testing for the COVID-19 cases. US Vice President Mike Pence had promised on March 15 that the Americans would have full access to more than 2,000 laboratories capable of processing tests in the upcoming days. However, as of now, with limited testing gears available, the US has only been able to record 4,727 cases with 93 deaths. 

Read - US, China Demand To Stop Blaming Each Other Over Coronavirus Pandemic

WHO chief has also said that without testing cases an individual would not be isolated and it would further result in an unbroken chain of infection. He further added that countries with most advanced healthcare systems have struggled to deal with the sudden outbreak of COVID-19 which had originated in China in December 2019. Tedros has also said that he is “deeply concerned”  about the impact of the fatal virus among the populations who have high HIV prevalence. 

Tedros said, “As the virus moves to low-income countries, we're deeply concerned about the impact it could have among populations with high HIV prevalence, or among malnourished children. That’s why we’re calling on every country and every individual to do everything they can to stop transmission.”

Read - Euro 2020 Is Still On In PES 2020, Even If It Is Set To Be Postponed Due To Coronavirus

Read - India Witnesses Third Coronavirus Death; 64-year-old Passes Away In Mumbai

Advertisement

Published March 17th, 2020 at 11:45 IST

Your Voice. Now Direct.

Send us your views, we’ll publish them. This section is moderated.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending Quicks

RCB vs KKR
a few seconds ago
Gautam Gambhir gets into a fight with Virat Kohli
a few seconds ago
Congress Press Conference
2 minutes ago
Terrorist Attack At Crocus City Hall, Moscow, Russia
13 minutes ago
Delhi Rains: Hailstorm and Heavy Rains in Gurgaon on Friday, Thunderstorms Predicted Until March 31
24 minutes ago
Russian Volunteer Corps
24 minutes ago
Force Motors' Q2 results
24 minutes ago
Crew
24 minutes ago
Lok Sabha Elections 2024
26 minutes ago
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Whatsapp logo