WHO says confirmed COVID-19 cases, deaths outside China exceed those inside

More cases and deaths of COVID-19 have now been reported in the rest of the world than in China, the chief of the World Health Organization (WHO) said here on Monday, noting that a rapid escalation of the coronavirus cases has been seen in the past week.

As of Monday morning, a total of more than 83,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported outside China, exceeding the cumulative number of infections in China, and over 6,400 patients have died of COVID-19 worldwide, according to WHO.

“We have seen a rapid escalation in social distancing measures, like closing schools, canceling sporting events and other gatherings.” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a daily briefing.

However, Tedros warned escalation in testing, isolation and contact tracing is not urgent enough, stressing these measures are the backbone of the COVID-19 response.