Dr. Tedros: Our Greatest Concern is the Spread of Corona in Iran, Italy, South Korea, and Japan
The director general of the World Health Organization, while confirming news of this organization’s delegation’s entry into Tehran, says “our most important concern is the spread of coronavirus in Iran, South Korea, Italy, and Japan”.
Official statistics announced in Iran indicate that by March 2, more than 1,500 people have been infected with the disease caused by the new coronavirus, COVID-19, and 66 people have died.
Even considering official statistics, Iran has the highest number of victims caused by coronavirus consequences after China. Of course, there are doubts within Iran itself and even among official figures regarding the accuracy of the statistics presented for infected and deceased. The authorities of the Islamic Republic have rejected these doubts.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced yesterday on his Twitter account that the World Health Organization’s airplane carrying personnel of this institution and medical equipment entered Tehran from Dubai.
At the same time, he praised the fact that the United States has offered assistance to Iran to combat the virus, saying “we now have a common enemy” and combating this virus is “very, very important for building a bridge for peace”.
Donald Trump, the president of the United States, said on Sunday that his government is ready to help Iran combat the spread of coronavirus, and this assistance is “contingent on a request” from the Islamic Republic.
Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the American proposal as “ridiculous claims and a political-psychological game”. However, Tehran has accepted assistance provided by European countries.
Dr. Tedros emphasized on Monday during his press conference with media that the current epidemic in Iran, South Korea, Italy, and Japan is the greatest concern for the institution under his management.
South Korea currently confirms the infection of nearly five thousand of its citizens with coronavirus and the death of 34 people. South Korea has taken extensive measures to test its citizens, and tens of thousands have been tested to date.
In Italy, the number of infected people on Monday exceeded two thousand, and the death toll reached 52 people. In Japan, officially 256 infections and 6 deaths have been confirmed. This figure does not include the cruise ship that was quarantined off the coast of this country. On that ship, more than 700 people were infected with the virus, of which 6 have died so far.
In the United States as well, the death toll on Monday suddenly increased and reached six. The infection of more than 90 people has also been confirmed.
The director of the World Health Organization stated in his press conference that containing the virus “is possible” and “should be the main priority of all countries”.
Some researchers and experts say the new coronavirus has probably reached or is approaching the stage of global pandemic, “pandemic”.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in the United States, said to MSNBC on Monday “by looking at different definitions of a pandemic… [we see] multiple sustained transmissions of a severely contagious agent in different parts of the world”.
Dr. Tedros said during his press conference “my message to all countries is: we are not on a one-way street. We can push back coronavirus”.
Source: Radio Farda
