As Coronavirus spread accelerates, WHO warns 'new & dangerous phase' of pandemic

As nations struggle to relax lockdown measures despite accelerating spre Coronavirus, World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned of a "new and dangerous phase" of pandemic.

warning came as various reports have emerged indicating that virus was present in Italy in December, months before its first case was confirmed, and same goes for China. virus, which has w claimed lives of 454,000 people and infected 8.4 million people worldwide, is escalating in USA and parts of Asia even as Europe has started to ease restrictive measures.

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Even though lockdowns imposed to curb spre of disease have caused crippling ecomic dam, WHO said that pandemic still poses a major threat.

" world is in a new and dangerous phase. Many people are understandably fed up with being at home... but virus is still spreing fast," WHO chief Tedros ham Ghebreyesus said during a virtual press conference.

More than 150,000 cases were reported globally on Thursday,  highest single-day number so far. Tedros said nearly half of newly reported cases were from Americas, with significant numbers from South Asia and Middle East.

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More to discover about COVID-19

Despite several trials, re are months to go until first vaccine is developed. Scientists across world are still learning more about virus, its symptoms, and impact of its spre before being identified.

Italian researchers discovered genetic traces of COVID-19 in samples of wastewater collected in Milan and Turin in December last year, and Bologna in January. Italy's first positive case was recorded in February. As per Italy's top health ncy ISS, results help in understanding when transmission began in country.

Italy was first European country to be affected by virus and first in world to impose a nationwide lockdown, in early March. As risk persists, ISS also urged caution after seeing "warning signs" of virus transmission following two outbreaks in Rome. It said that circulation of virus is still significant in some parts of country.

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