US could become next epicentre, warns WHO

Reuters Published March 25, 2020

Over the previous 24 hours, 85 per cent of new cases were in Europe and the United States, and of those, 40 percent were in the United States. — AFP

GENEVA: The World Health Organisation said on Tuesday that the United States could become the global epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic.

“The coronavirus outbreak represents a major external shock to the macro outlook, akin to a large-scale natural disaster,” analysts at BlackRock Investment Institute said.In Geneva, WHO spokeswoman Margaret Harris told reporters there had been a “very large acceleration” in infections in the United States.

Over the previous 24 hours, 85 per cent of new cases were in Europe and the United States, and of those, 40 percent were in the United States.

Asked whether the United States could become the new epicentre, Harris said: “We are now seeing a very large acceleration in cases in the US. So it does have that potential.” Some US state and local officials have decried a lack of coordinated federal action, saying that having localities act on their own has put them in competition for supplies. President Donald Trump acknowledged the difficulty.

“The World market for face masks and ventilators is Crazy. We are helping the states to get equipment, but it is not easy,” he tweeted.

Published in Dawn, March 25th, 2020

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SayNoToPlastics

Mar 25, 2020 09:01am

India should act now and ship medical supplies to help the US.

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Mar 25, 2020 10:40am

@SayNoToPlastics, 12 tonnes already sent to China to help them in January. Turns out Trump has already bailed out production in USA so they are in strong position to mass produce.

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Dr. Doctor

Mar 25, 2020 11:12am

The cases increased in numbers just like many other places in the world but it has recently emerged how high the numbers are only to the testing being finally smoothly going on its way, originally it was stalled secondary to faulty kits. The ironical situation is due to the fact that the numbers being reported are only for the ones being tested and these numbers are still growing exponentially. The worst part is that USA is now not testing enough and will eventually start testing only the ones who present with symptoms. A measure possibly to contain public fright and confusion and also to avoid wasting resources on tests which don't change the management but only add to anxiety.

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Jacky

Mar 25, 2020 11:19am

@SayNoToPlastics, its already shipping to US and SAARC member countries.

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Jacky

Mar 25, 2020 11:21am

@SayNoToPlastics, Reliance company is making more than 100000 masks daily, like this there are more than 400 factories which are making masks.

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M.Mudassir Siddiqui

Mar 25, 2020 11:23am

@SayNoToPlastics, those who cannot help themselves are hoping to extend their support to others..strange matrix