WHO declares the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic

The World Health Organization has declared the spread of COVID-19 a pandemic, Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a briefing in Geneva.

According to the WHO, more than 118,000 cases have been registered in 114 countries and more than 4,000 people have died. In two weeks the number of cases outside China has increased 13-fold.

The WHO chief stressed that the pandemic can still be brought under control if countries detect, isolate and treat patients and trace their contacts.

Italy imposed nationwide quarantine restrictions the day before. A number of countries are closing schools, cancelling mass events and restricting the entry of foreigners.