Testing urged for every suspected coronavirus case

The World Health Organization on Monday urged countries to test every suspected novel coronavirus case as they ramp up measures to fight the fast-spreading pandemic.

The past week witnessed a rapid escalation of cases of COVID-19 around the world. More cases and deaths have now been reported in the rest of the world than in China, the WHO's Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a virtual news conference in Geneva on Monday afternoon.

He noted that there has been a rapid escalation in social distancing measures, such as closing schools and cancelling sporting events and other gatherings.

The WHO chief was clearly referring to the announcement over the weekend by several European nations such as France, Belgium and the Netherlands to close their schools, bars and restaurants and ban large gatherings.

"But we haven't seen an urgent enough escalation in testing, isolation and contact tracing, which is the backbone of the COVID-19 response," Tedros said.

He acknowledged that social distancing measures can help reduce COVID-19 transmission and enable health systems to cope while hand-washing and coughing into elbow can reduce the risk.

"But on their own, they aren't enough to extinguish this COVID-19 pandemic. It's the combination that makes the difference. All countries must take a comprehensive approach," he said.

Tedros emphasized that the most effective way to prevent infections and save lives is breaking the chains of COVID-19 transmission. "To do that, you must test and isolate. You cannot fight a fire blindfolded. And we cannot stop the pandemic if we don't know who is infected," he said.

He said WHO has a simple message for all countries. "Test, test, test. Test every suspected COVID-19 case," he said.

Maria Van Kerkhove, technical lead for the WHO Health Emergencies Program, echoed the view. She noted that it's essential that all the cases are being followed, traced and isolated. "This is the most effective way that we can limit human-to-human transmission," she said.

Having spent two weeks in China recently, she said that high-level support and an all-of-government approach are essential, adding that everyone should know their role in the fight.

"This is going to be difficult for a while. But this will be temporary. And it's important we all play a role in this," she said.

On Monday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a 30-day restriction on all non-essential travel into the European Union in its effort to contain the COVID-19. The WHO declared last Friday that Europe has become the epicenter of the pandemic after the area witnessed a rapid increase of number of cases and deaths.

The commission believes that the new measures can help reduce the huge pressure on its healthcare system.

"Here in Europe, we are heavily affected by the virus. And we know that everything that reduces social interaction also reduces the speed of the spread of the virus. The less travel, the more we can contain the virus," she said.