GENEVA, March 2 -- The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Monday that the spread of COVID-19 in South Korea, Italy, Iran and Japan has become the greatest concern.
South Korea has so far reported more than 4,200 cases and 22 deaths, meaning it has more than half of all cases outside China, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a daily briefing.
The cases in South Korea, however, appear to be coming mostly from suspected cases from the five known clusters, rather than the community, which indicates that surveillance measures are working and the epidemic can still be contained in the country, Tedros added.
"(South) Korea's situation also underlines that this is a unique virus with unique features. This virus is not influenza," Tedros explained, because if COVID-19 was an influenza epidemic, widespread community transmission across the globe would have been expected by now, and efforts to slow it down or contain it would not be feasible.
"But containment of COVID-19 is feasible and must remain the top priority for all countries," he reiterated. "With early, aggressive measures, countries can stop transmission and save lives."
While in Iran, COVID-19 death toll has risen to 66 as of Monday, with a total of 1,501 people having been affected and 291 of them recovered, according to Iran's health authority.
The WHO chief announced Monday that a WHO team had arrived in Iran on Monday afternoon to deliver supplies and support the government in the response.
In Italy, the total number of COVID-19 cases by Sunday has reached 1,577, or 1,694 including those healed or died, the authority said. That was an increase from 1,128 a day earlier. The death toll was 34.
In Japan, as of Monday, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has risen to more than 960, with over 700 of them stemming from the virus-hit Diamond Princess cruise ship quarantined in the port city of Yokohama.
国际英语资讯:Israels Likud ruling party prepares for leadership primary
国际英语资讯:Spotlight: Rust Belt city in U.S. Wisconsin finds way to recovery
The Amazing Voice 美妙的声音
Christmas Activity 圣诞节活动
国际英语资讯:Trump warns Russia, Syria, Iran against violence in Idlib
Uber在德国被禁了
国际英语资讯:U.S. Fed policy-making committee could see more consensus on monetary policy in 2020: media
蟑螂乳汁废水啤酒 环保食品走红2019
国内英语资讯:Chinese president delivers 2020 New Year speech, vowing to achieve first centenary goal
为什么已经吃到撑但嘴巴还是停不下来
给孩子零花钱开始变得"移动化"
国内英语资讯:Chinese military spokesperson urges U.S. not to implement negative fiscal clauses
国际英语资讯:Yearender: U.S. entering deep water of 2020 election year after a year of political divisive
国内英语资讯:Roundup: Xis New Year speech lauded by overseas analysts
国际英语资讯:Feature: People in Mosul yearn for better life in 2020
体坛英语资讯:China earns three golds on final day of FINA Diving Grand Prix
英语阅读理解的技巧和方法
国内英语资讯:China, Russia, Iran to hold joint naval exercise
体坛英语资讯:There was no way we could leave without being champions, says Flamengo star Henrique
看似有爱实际却很危险的恋爱习惯
国际英语资讯:Czech president calls attention to slowness in trial proceedings, infrastructure constructio
国内英语资讯:Xis speech at gathering marking Macaos 20th return anniversary published
三岁那年,我遇到了圣诞老人
体坛英语资讯:Philippines holds Cambodia draw at SEA Games football opener
国内英语资讯:Guangzhou Baiyun Airport to handle 90 million passengers in 2025
国际英语资讯:Putin advocates normalizing ties in message to Trump
喜迎2020 英国大本钟全新蓝色钟面亮相
体坛英语资讯:Sporting Lisbon eyeing Atlanta United midfielder Barco
国内英语资讯:Across China: Yiwu: Santas new hometown
吃奶酪会上瘾?