The outbreak of Coronavirus has officially been confirmed as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO).
WHO’s chief, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said: “WHO has been assessing this outbreak around the clock and we are deeply concerned both by the alarming levels of spread and severity, and by the alarming levels of inaction.
“We have therefore made the assessment that #COVID19 can be characterized as a pandemic.”
According to WHO, a pandemic is defined as “the worldwide spread of a new disease”.
Although WHO’s labelling of coronavirus as a pandemic does not mean it is changing its advice on what countries should do, Dr Tedros did call on governments to take “urgent and aggressive action”.
Following the announcement from Dr Tedros, it was also announced that Boris Johnson is set to escalate the UK’s response to the virus, which could include the closure of schools, cancellation of major sporting events and an increase in remote working.
It comes after two more people died from coronavirus in the UK, taking the total of those who have passed away after testing positive to 8.