WHO Announces Coronavirus Pandemic

The situation with the spread of a new type of coronavirus in the world can be described as a pandemic. This statement was made today by the World Health Organization (WHO) chief, Tedros Ghebreyesus. “We concluded that COVID-19 disease could be regarded as a pandemic,” he said. Ghebreyesus warned that in the days and weeks ahead it is necessary to prepare for an increase in the number of infections, deaths from COVID-19 and the number of countries affected by the pandemic. Today, cases of coronavirus infection are recorded in 109 states. In Russia, the Anti-Disease Operational Headquarters said Wednesday night that eight more cases of coronavirus infection were registered in the country over the past day, and the total number of cases reached 28. Six cases were detected in Moscow and two in the Moscow Region. It has been established that all of them have visited Italy in the last two weeks. All hospitalized are in infectious boxes. Also, the Russian Operational Headquarters stated that since March 13, due to the coronavirus, air traffic restrictions have been introduced with Italy, the Federal Republic of Germany, France and Spain, and only a few flights remain. Aeroflot, meanwhile, said on Wednesday that it would close most flights to Italy, Spain, France, and Germany by the end of April. Flights to Italy will continue in only one direction - to Rome, while flights to Milan, Venice, Bologna, Verona and Naples are canceled. Of the Spanish destinations, only Madrid and Barcelona will remain. Flights to Malaga, Valencia, Alicante, Palma de Mallorca and Tenerife are canceled. At the same time, due to the large number of Russian citizens in Tenerife from March 13 to March 20, Aeroflot will operate charter flights “only to return passengers to the original transportation point,” the report said. Prime Minister of Ukraine Denis Shmygal said on Wednesday that the country “in fact suspends the air links with Italy.” According to him, the decision is already made and the airlines have begun to implement it. Shmygal also said that from March 12, Ukraine will partially close state borders due to the spread of coronavirus in the world. Starting tomorrow, 49 out of 219 checkpoints will be operating. Earlier it became known that from March 12, following the government’s decision, educational institutions will be closed within three weeks in Ukraine. According to official figures, there is only one sick person in the country. Five more patients are under suspicion.