WHO calls the coronavirus carnage in China the 'tip of the iceberg'

Feb 11, 2020, 12:28 IST

For the first time, China reported over 100 deaths due to the novel coronavirus outbreak.
As per World Health Organisation chief’s warnings, the numbers may not tell us the whole story and there’s a possibility of more cases around the world.
WHO called for 400 world’s leading experts for a two-day global conference at its Geneva headquarters to discover effective treatments and vaccines.

Coronavirus is spreading fast and wide. The death toll in mainland China rose to 1,016 growing by 108 on a single day on February 11 . So far, China’s National Health Commission has reported 42,638 confirmed cases — out of which 2,478 were reported on Tuesday alone.

But it is not just China’s problem. As per World Health Organisation chief’s warnings, the numbers may not tell us the whole story and there’s a possibility of more cases around the world.

‘The detection of a small number of cases may indicate more widespread transmission in other countries; in short we may only be seeing the tip of the iceberg, said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, World Health Organization (WHO).

WHO called for 400 world’s leading experts for a two-day global conference at its Geneva headquarters to discover effective treatments and vaccines. Ghebreyesus also asked all countries to share whatsoever information they have about nCOV in “real-time with WHO”. Moreover, it has not yet reached its goal to collect $675 million to help fight the outbreak.

The warning comes after a British citizen passed on the virus to at least 11 other people without even visiting China. The man, who was not named, was infected at a conference in Singapore. He then travelled to France to spend some days at the ski resort of Contamines Montjoie in the Alps and later he flew to England. Authorities are now trying to track down people he could have possibly infected.

WHO calls the coronavirus carnage in China the 'tip of the iceberg'

Hundreds of scientists are struggling to find a cure for the deadly novel coronavirus. According to WHO, only 168 labs in the world have the technology to diagnose the virus.

So far, the total nCOV has spread to at least 27 countries, taking the total confirmed cases to 43,100.

Three of these cases were diagnosed in Kerala in India which detained more than 800 people. Moreover over 300 people who were evacuated from Wuhan are kept in an isolated facility near Manesar in Haryana.

In France, two schools were shut after five students were diagnosed with the virus. While Japan reported a total of 69 cases out of the 3700 people who were on a quarantined cruise ship. Apart from those on the ship, Japan separately reported 26 cases.

Singapore confirmed three more cases on January 9, taking the total confirmed cases to 43. With the increase in total number of cases in China, the mortality rate of the virus rose from 2.2% to 2.4% on Monday.

The vice dean of Shanghai Fudan University was hopeful that they might see “a turning point in the outbreak”. However, WHO chief Ghebreyesus told reporters in Geneva that “It could be the spark that becomes a bigger fire.”

China has extended its Lunar New Year Holiday by more than 10 days. Most of the busiest parts in Beijing, Shanghai and other parts of China were empty after the cities were under lockdown.

China also locked down 80 cities and has asked people to wear masks while traveling.

Several airlines including British Airways canceled all flights to mainland China, especially Wuhan which was the epicenter of the outbreak.

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