WHO calls for 'quarantine on politicising Covid-19' as it hits back against criticism from Donald Trump

The head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) has called for a "quarantine on politicising Covid-19" after facing intense criticism over the pandemic from Donald Trump.

In a series of attacks against the organisation, the US president accused the WHO of being too cosy with China and criticised the advice it has been issuing to countries battling outbreaks around the world.

But WHO director general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus hit back on Wednesday, saying to politicise the crisis would lead to "more body bags".

China and the US and G20 countries, should "come together to fight it", he added.

"Those who have differences should join hands to fight it," he said.

Tweeting on Tuesday, Mr Trump accused WHO of being too cosy with China and slamming its global coronavirus advice.

He wrote: "The W.H.O. really blew it."

"For some reason, funded largely by the United States, yet very China centric. We will be giving that a good look.

"Fortunately I rejected their advice on keeping our borders open to China early on. Why did they give us such a faulty recommendation?"

During a press briefing at the White House on Tuesday night, Mr Trump again accused WHO of being "wrong about a lot of things".

Mr Trump also threatened to halt funding to the international public health body and said it had "missed the call" to outline the seriousness of the disease in the early days.

Dr Ghebreyesus said: "We shouldn't waste time pointing fingers, we need time to unite."

"Unity is the only option to defeat this virus."

He added: "Why would I care about being attacked when people are dying?

"We have lost more than 60,000 citizens of the world."

Dr Ghebreyesus added: "Giving me names, 'black' or 'negro'. I am proud of being black, proud of being negro, because that negro is black, black is black, and I am proud."

He continued: "When the whole black community was insulted, when Africa was insulted, then I don't tolerate, then I say it is crossing a line. When it's personal, even death threats, I don't care."

WHO officials used the first part of the briefing to outline steps that have been taken to "alleviate suffering and save lives".

Thursday April 9 marks 100 days since the global health body was notified of the first cases of "pneumonia with unknown cause".

Dr Ghebreyesus told a virtual press briefing: "Tomorrow marks 100 days since WHO was notified of the first cases of 'pneumonia with unknown cause' in China.

"It's incredible to reflect on how dramatically the world has changed, in such a short period of time."

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