WHO tries to calm talk of pandemic, says the word “does not fit the facts”

Enlarge / World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus gives a press conference on the situation regarding the COVID-19 at Geneva's WHO headquarters on February 24, 2020. (credit: Getty | Fabrice Coffrini)

As outbreaks of the new coronavirus flare up in several countries beyond China, experts at the World Health Organization on Monday tried to rein in fears and media speculation that the public health emergency will become a pandemic.

"I have spoken consistently about the need for facts, not fear," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a press briefing Monday. "Using the word 'pandemic' now does not fit the facts, but it may certainly cause fear."

As always, the director-general (who goes by Dr. Tedros) and his colleagues at WHO tried to shift the conversation away from speculation and worst-case scenarios. Instead, they want to focus on data and preparation. In doing so, though, Dr. Tedros noted that some of the latest figures in the epidemic are "deeply concerning."

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