Coronavirus could kill millions globally: UN Chief

The U.N. secretary-general warned Thursday that millions of people could die globally from the coronavirus outbreak without a coordinated global response.

“If we let the virus spread like wildfire, especially in the most vulnerable regions of the world, it would kill millions of people,” Antonio Guterres warned.

The World Health Organization has recorded more than 200,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and more than 8,000 deaths.

Speaking to reporters via videoconference, as he has restricted U.N. headquarters to all but essential personnel in order to prevent the spread of the disease, Guterres said countries need to shift from undertaking individual health strategies to a coordinated global response.

“The health catastrophe makes clear that we are only as strong as the weakest health system,” he said. “Global solidarity is not only a moral imperative, it is in everyone’s interests.”

He urged nations to contribute to the World Health Organization’s appeal for funds to assist countries with their virus response. On Thursday, the WHO said that it had received nearly all the $675 million it appealed for to cover the next three months, but that it would be requesting more funds as the virus affects more countries.

Guterres urged a multipronged approach: first tackling the global health emergency and then focusing on the social impact and the economic response and recovery.

Agencies


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