WHO hits back after criticism from US: “We did warn in time”

The World Health Organization (WHO) responded on Friday to criticism from, among others, the United States that the organization warned too late about the coronavirus.

“On January 30, we declared an international health emergency,” said WHO President Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “At that time, there were 82 registered infections outside of China and no deaths yet. So all countries had enough time to prepare for the coronavirus.

The WHO declared on March 11 that the coronavirus is a pandemic. That situation remains unchanged, Tedros said Friday.

Tedros also noted that the WHO is also still working with the US, although the country decided to stop contributing to the WHO.

“We work closely together and are in constant contact with each other.”