UN Chief: ‘Millions’ Could Die If Coronavirus Keeps Spreading

By Staff, Agencies

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned on Thursday that millions of people could die if the coronavirus keeps spreading.

"If we let the virus spread like wildfire, especially in the most vulnerable regions of the world, it would kill millions of people," Guterres said, urging G20 countries to support those countries whose healthcare systems are weaker.

"Solidarity is not only a moral imperative, it is in everyone's interests," he added.

Guterres further asserted that: "We need to immediately move away from a situation where each country is undertaking its own health strategies to one that ensures, in full transparency, a coordinated global response, including helping countries that are less prepared to tackle the crisis."

He urged governments to give "the strongest support to the multilateral effort to fight the virus, led by the World Health Organization, whose appeals must be fully met."

Guterres said that financial facilities are needed to support countries in difficulty, adding that the International Monetary Fund, World Bank and other international institutions have a key role to play.

Since emerging in central China late last year, the respiratory infection has claimed the lives of more than 9,800 people and infected above 236,000 around the world.