Hans Kluge, World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Europe, in an interview with MIA commends the North Macedonia authorities for their response amid the coronavirus scare.
The country, he says, has evaluated its capacities of human resources and infrastructure even before the first case was confirmed.
“There is no reason for panic,” Kluge stresses.
“We do understand. I, myself as infection diseases specialist, completely sympathize that people are concerned about their health and the health of their families. It’s a new virus, so we take it seriously,” says Kluge. On Thursday, the WHO official attended the 2nd National Health Forum in Skopje.
Asked if there is room for panic, and how much coronavirus deaths are compared to seasonal flu, Kluge says there is no reason to panic.
I would like to be straightforward and speak to the people of this wonderful country – there is no reason for panic. We do understand. I, myself as infection diseases specialist, completely sympathize that people are concerned about their health and the health of their families.
It’s a new virus, so we take it seriously. After all, we should remember that today we have 81,000+ cases, but 97% is still in China. So the 3% is in 47 countries outside of China.
He says that 4 out of 5 patients, 80%, have mild symptoms and recover. 15% have more serious symptoms and 5% are critical.
