In the past two weeks, the number of cases off Corbett 19 outside China has increased 13 fold and the number of affected countries has tripled.

There are now more than 118,000 cases in 114 countries, and 4291 people have lost their lives.

Thousands more are fighting for their lives in hospitals.

In the days and weeks ahead, we expect to see the number of cases, the number of days and the number of affected countries climb even higher.

W H O has been assessing this outbreak around the clock, and we're deeply concerned both by the alarming levels, off spread and severity and by the alarming levels off in action.

We have therefore met the assessment that Cove ID 19 can be characterized as a pandemic.

Pandemic is not a word to use lightly or carelessly.

It's a word that, if misused, can coz unreasonable fear or unjustified acceptance that the fight is over leading toe unnecessary suffering and death.

Describing the situation as a pandemic doesn't know change.

W jizz assessment off the threat posed by the virus.

It doesn't change what w.

Joe is doing and it doesn't change what countries should do.

We have never been before seeing a pandemic spark it by a Corona virus.

This is the first panda me coast by Corona virus, and we have never before seen a pandemic that can be controlled.

At the same time, W.

H O has been in full response.

More scenes.

We were notified off the first cases and we have called every day for countries to take urgent and aggressive action.

We have rang the alarm bell loud and clear.

As I said on Monday, just looking at the number of cases and the number of countries affected does not tell the full story off.

The 118 cases reported globally in 114 countries, more than 90% of cases our injures four countries and two off those China and the republic off Korea have significantly declining epidemics.

81 countries have not reported any cases and 57 countries have reported 10 cases or less.

We can not this we cannot say this loudly enough or clearly enough or often enough.

All countries can still change the course off this pandemic.

If countries detect test street, isolate trace and mobilize their people in the response.

Those with a handful of cases can prevent those cases becoming clusters and those blasters becoming community transmission.

Even those countries with community transmission or larger class tres can turn the tide on this virus.

Several countries have demonstrated that this virus can be suppressed and controlled.

The challenge for many countries who are now dealing with large plasters or community transmission is not whether they can do the same.

It's whether they will.

Some countries are struggling with a lack of capacity.

Some countries are struggling with the lack off resource is some countries are struggling with the lack off resolved.

We're grateful for the measures being taken in Iran, Italy and the Republic of Korea to slow the virus and control their epidemics.

We know that these measures are taking a heavy toll on societies and economies.

Site just other aided in China.

All countries must strike a fine balance between protecting health, minimizing economic and social disruption and respecting human rights.

W just mandate is public health, but we're working with many partners across all actors to mitigate the social and economic consequences off this pandemic.

This is not just a public health crisis.

It's a crisis that will touch every sector, so every sector and every individual must be involved in the fight.

I have said from the beginning that countries Mastic Ah whole off government, all off society approach built around a complaints of strategy to prevent infections, save lives and minimize impact.

Let me summarize it in four key areas.

First, prepare and be ready.

Second, detect, protect and treat.

Third, reduce transmission and forth.

Innovate and learn.

I remind all countries that were calling on you.

Tow, activate and scale up your emergency response mechanisms.

Communicate with your people about the risks and how they can protect themselves.

This is everybody's business.

Find, isolate, test and treat every case and trays every contact ready or hospitals protect and train your health workers.

And let's all look out for each other because we need each other.

That has been so much attention on one word, and you know that Let me give you some other words that matter much more and that are much more actionable.

These are prevention, preparedness, public hills, political leadership and, most of all, people.

We're in this together to do the right things.

Who is calling?

We're in this together to do the right things with skull and protect the citizens off the world.

It's doable.

I thank you.