WHO declares COVID-19 a global pandemic

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the outbreak of COVID-19 a global pandemic. This comes as the number of cases outside of China continues to rise, with more than 118,000 cases in 114 countries and 4,291 deaths worldwide as of March 11, 2020.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that they are deeply concerned by both the alarming levels of spread and severity and by the alarming levels of inaction. He also emphasized that all countries can still change the course of this pandemic.

COVID-19 was first identified in Wuhan, China in December 2019 and has since spread to different countries around the world. Governments and health authorities are urging people to take precautions such as washing hands regularly, practicing social distancing, and staying informed through reliable sources.

Fact Check: The information about the number of cases and deaths is accurate as of March 11, 2020.

Context: This declaration highlights the seriousness of the situation and the need for coordinated global response to the COVID-19 outbreak.