Countries Should Take Inspiration from New Zealand in Fight Against Coronavirus: WHO Director

The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has advised countries to take inspiration from New Zealand in their battle against the spread of the coronavirus. According to him, several countries in the Mekong River basin, numerous Caribbean island nations, as well as Rwanda and New Zealand have managed to overcome the spread of the virus at an early stage.

Ghebreyesus stated that "it is never too late" to control the coronavirus pandemic. "This week, the number of COVID-19 deaths worldwide could reach 750,000, with recorded cases approaching 20 million. Behind this statistic lies immense pain and tragedy. Every life is precious. I know many of you are going through tough times. But I want to be clear that there is hope for improvement, and regardless of the country, region, city, or community, it is never too late to stop the pandemic," he said, according to Voice of America.

Speaking at a press conference in Geneva, Tedros Ghebreyesus noted that even amid rapid virus transmission, it is possible to bring the situation under control by applying the appropriate guidelines. "Utilizing all the tools at our disposal and adhering to the accepted guidelines is crucial to preventing the spread of the disease, which will lead to a safe reopening. Even in countries with high transmission rates, it is possible to bring it under control by following universally accepted rules," he emphasized.

He pointed out that countries like France, Germany, South Korea, Spain, Italy, and the United Kingdom have experienced significant pandemic spread but have been able to bring the situation under control. According to data from Johns Hopkins University's coronavirus center, the global number of patients today is nearing 20 million, with fatalities recorded at 750,000. In the United States, the number of confirmed cases has exceeded 5 million.