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August 12, 2020

Did WHO declare COVID-19 a pandemic?

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  4. Did WHO declare COVID-19 a pandemic?

On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the Coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. Health authorities now believe infected people can spread the virus before they begin to show symptoms, increasing the likelihood that they will pass the illness to others. With an incubation period of at least two weeks, symptoms associated with the virus include fever, cough and difficulty breathing. COVID-19 can be deadly and they are taking the issue very seriously and taking precautionary measures.

However, the WHO has been assessing this outbreak around the clock and they are deeply concerned both by the alarming levels of spread and severity and by the alarming levels of inaction. Therefore, on March 11, 2020, the WHO decided to officially make the assessment that COVID-19 can be characterized as a pandemic.  

The WHO has further stated that describing the situation as a pandemic does not change the WHO’s assessment of the threat posed by this virus and that it can be controlled. It doesn’t change what the WHO is doing, and it doesn’t change what countries should do. “We have never before seen a pandemic sparked by a coronavirus. This is the first pandemic caused by a coronavirus. And we have never before seen a pandemic that can be controlled, at the same time.”

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Article by firstreference

Note: This page provided by First Reference is for employers needing more information on the impact, rules and best practices for addressing the global novel coronavirus pandemic also known as COVID-19. (Last updated July 20, 2020, at 11:55 p.m.). The first batch of questions discusses the broad issues related to COVID-19 and government responses. The second batch of questions are frequently asked questions by employers needing more information on the impact COVID-19 has on the application of their workplace practices and policies for addressing the global coronavirus pandemic.

The circumstances and potential consequences for employers in connection with COVID-19 continue to evolve each day. We recognize that change resulting from COVID-19 is happening in real-time. We will keep you up-to-date with measures put in place by Canadian governments to help with these issues as they are implemented as soon as we can and details are available, by updating this page. Also, when making hard decisions to protect your employees, customers and your business, we strongly recommend seeking the advice of a lawyer to avoid any liability.

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