According to the WHO, describing the situation as a pandemic does not change its assessment of the threat posed by this virus. It is a stark reminder for implementing needed actions to control the outbreak and change the course of its spread.

Meanwhile, the UN Secretary-General has called on every government to step up and scale up their efforts, adding that "since this is a crisis that affects everyone, we must all play our part."  In a statement, the UN Head said that the declaration of a pandemic is a call to action and that "as we fight the virus, we cannot let fear go viral."