WHO: Europe currently 'epicenter' of pandemic

(Patria) – Europe is now the 'epicenter' of the global coronavirus pandemic, said the Director-General of the World Health Organization.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus calls on all countries to take more aggressive measures to prevent the spread of the virus, including community mobilization and social distancing.

His message comes due to a sharp increase in the number of infections in several European countries, with Italy remaining in the most difficult situation with 17,660 cases and 1,266 deaths, 250 of which occurred in the last 24 hours.

After Italy, Spain is the most endangered with a 50% jump in deaths, now at 120, while the number of infected has reached 4,231.

According to World Health Organization data, more than 132,500 people have been infected with coronavirus worldwide, and about 5,000 have died as a result.

Dr. Ghebreyesus claims that 'Europe has become the epicenter of the pandemic, with more reported cases and deaths than the rest of the world combined, apart from China,' and that 'more cases are reported in Europe every day than in China at the peak of the epidemic.'

The infection is also rapidly spreading in other European countries such as France, which has reported 2,876 cases and 79 deaths.

Immediately behind is Germany with 3,062 infected and 5 deaths, while the UK has 798 confirmed cases and 11 fatalities.

At least 10 European countries are fully or partially closing their borders – Denmark, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, Ukraine, Hungary, and Poland.

Belgium, France, Switzerland, and some parts of Germany were the last countries to close schools.

The BBC writes that Europe could find itself in a more difficult position than China because most cases in China are concentrated in Hubei province and the city of Wuhan. The autocratic government's imposition of the largest quarantine in history also helps in this case.

In contrast, the spread of infection in Europe is dispersed, with different governments implementing different measures.

Also, reports on the number of infected are based on reported cases ranging from the first symptoms to the development of the disease, while scientists suspect that there is a much larger number of asymptomatic infected people who move freely and spread the infection – without knowing they are infected.

Meanwhile, on another continent, US President Donald Trump declared a state of national emergency. He himself rejected the recommendation to self-isolate because he met with at least three people in the past few days who later tested positive for coronavirus.

A travel ban affecting 26 European countries is in effect in America, despite condemnations from the EU.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has begun a two-week self-isolation after his wife contracted coronavirus.

The death toll in Iran has risen to 514, and the actual number is believed to be significantly higher.

The first cases have also been recorded in East Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Sudan, the BBC reports.