Here’s Why The WHO Thinks ‘The Worst Is Yet To Come’ From Coronavirus

“Although many countries have made some progress, globally the pandemic is actually speeding up,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus speaking at a briefing in Geneva. “Some countries have now experienced a resurgence of cases as they start to reopen their economies and societies.”

Tedros pointed to the lack of unity and global solidarity in tackling the pandemic as key reasons why the spread is increasing. “[The] worst is yet to come,” he warned, according to NPR. He added: “I’m sorry to say that, but with this kind of environment and conditions we fear the worst.”

The WHO head urged countries to follow the lead of South Korea, and other countries, that have used contact tracing and isolation to contain the spread of the virus. 

“No excuse for contact tracing. If any country is saying contact tracing is difficult, it is a lame excuse,” said Tedros.

The WHO also said at the meeting that it would send a team to China to investigate the source of the outbreak, which was first detected in Wuhan in December. 

President Donald Trump has threatened to withhold United States funding of the WHO over its handling of the pandemic, and allegations that the global health agency was deferential towards China.