WHO warns of 'deadly resurgence' if restrictions lifted too quickly

The World Health Organization warned countries on Friday to be cautious about lifting restrictions introduced to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus:

(SOUNDBITE) (English) WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION (WHO) DIRECTOR GENERAL, TEDROS ADHANOM GHEBREYESUS, SAYING:

"I've seen a welcome slowing in some of the hardest hit countries in Europe, like Spain, Italy, Germany and France./ I know that some countries are already planning the transition out of 'stay-at-home' restrictions. The WHO wants to see restrictions lifted as much as anyone, at the same time, lifting restrictions too quickly could lead to a deadly resurgence. The way down can be as dangerous as the way up, if not managed properly/ I don't think there is, from what we have seen now, no country is immune. No country can claim that it has a strong public health system or a strong health system."

The WHO Director General also voiced concerns the virus was taking hold in Africa.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION (WHO) DIRECTOR GENERAL, TEDROS ADHANOM GHEBREYESUS, SAYING:

"We have seen an alarming acceleration in other countries. I want to take a moment to highlight Africa, where we are seeing the spread of the virus to rural areas. We are now seeing clusters of cases in communities spread in more than sixteen countries. We anticipate severe hardship for all already overstretched health systems, particularly in rural areas which normally lack the resources of those in cities."

The WHO also said that Japan may have to ramp up its measures to tackle COVID-19 after cases have been found in some parts of the country with no known links to other outbreaks.

But added that recent data showed that Japan was taking aggressive measures in some locations.