WHO declares public health emergency of international concern

The World Health Organization (WHO) publishes its latest situation report on novel coronavirus with data as reported by 31 January 2020, after its emergency committee on the coronavirus reconvened on 30 January. The report states that 'WHO declared the outbreak to be a public health emergency of international concern'. The committee 'believes that it is still possible to interrupt virus spread, provided that countries put in place strong measures to detect disease early, isolate and treat cases, trace contacts, and promote social distancing measures commensurate with the risk'.