"Trump is 'taking responsibility' in leading COVID-19 pandemic response": WHO Chief

he of World Health Organisation commended US President Donald Trump on Wednesday for “taking responsibility” in leing response to COVID-19 pandemic.

In a virtual press briefing in Geneva, Tedros ham Ghebreyesus said UN health ncy h called repeatedly for hes of state to le a “whole-of-government” response to new coronavirus.

“That’s exactly what he’s doing which we appreciate because fighting this pandemic needs political commitment,” Tedros said, referring to Trump.

Tedros has previously warned that countries taking measures to lock down ir societies must use time wisely to implement or aggressive interventions, including widespre testing and efforts to track down virus’ transmission chains.

WHO and or experts say it could be months before outbreak peaks and loosening such controls too soon could allow virus to resurge.

On Tuesday, Trump suggested lockdown measures in US might be lifted by Easter and predicted re would be “packed churches” across country.

“I kw he’s doing all he can,” Tedros said, ting he and Trump spoke recently, ding, “I believe that kind of political commitment and political leership can bring change or can stop this pandemic.”

For most people, new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough.

But virus is highly contagious and can be spre by those with visible symptoms.

For some, especially older ults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness including pneumonia.