BALTIMORE, MD—The World Health Organization on Wednesday labeled coronavirus a global pandemic.

In the past two weeks, the number of cases of #COVID-19 outside China has increased 13-fold and the number of affected countries has tripled.

There are now more than 118,000 cases in 114 countries, and 4,291 people have died.

“In the days and weeks ahead, we expect to see the number of COVID-19 cases, the number of deaths, and the number of affected countries climb even higher,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO.

“WHO has been assessing this outbreak around the clock and we are deeply concerned both by the alarming levels of spread and severity, and by the alarming levels of inaction,” Dr. Tedros added.

“Pandemic is not a word to use lightly or carelessly. It is a word that, if misused, can cause unreasonable fear, or unjustified acceptance that the fight is over, leading to unnecessary suffering and death,” Dr. Tedros concluded.

So far in Maryland, nine residents have tested positive for coronavirus.

Keep up with the latest NottinghamMD.com coronavirus coverage here and find preparedness tips at the WHO website here.

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“We have therefore made the assessment that #COVID19 can be characterized as a pandemic”-@DrTedros #coronavirus pic.twitter.com/JqdsM2051A

— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) March 11, 2020