WHO describes coronavirus outbreak as pandemic

The World Health Organization sees the outbreak of the new coronavirus as a pandemic, Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Wednesday.

Francesca Lynagh reports.

The World Health Organization has described the coronavirus outbreak as a pandemic.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) WHO DIRECTOR GENERAL TEDROS ADHANOM GHEBREYESUS SAYING: ''We are deeply concerned both by the alarming levels of spread and severity and by the alarming levels of inaction.'' WHITE FLASH "Pandemic is not a word to use lightly or carelessly.

It's a word, that if misused, can cause unreasonable fear.'' A pandemic is an epidemic on a far greater geographical scale that affects a much larger number of people.

Earlier, Angela Merkel said up to 70% of the German population was likely to become infected with coronavirus if the situation remains unchanged.

Her blunt assessment was criticized by some as being alarmist.

Germany has about 1,300 cases but only a handful of deaths as of Wednesday.

Merkel expressed deep sympathy for nearby country Italy - Europe's worst hit, with over 600 deaths.

Its nationwide lockdown only allows people to move for reasons of work, for health needs or for emergencies.

Public transport is still in operation.

People are still going to the office and forming long queues outside supermarkets -- told to keep a distance of a meter from each other.

Many business owners, like tobacconist Nicola Dattilo in Milan, are feeling the effects.

(SOUNDBITE) (Italian) TOBACCONIST WEARING FACE MASK, NICOLA DATTILO, SAYING: "Obviously, people are more and more scared of approaching the desk because of all the things being said on television." Further south, in Rome, the Vatican's St.

Peter's Square is closed -- the pope addressing his followers via video conference.

If you want to travel you need need to fill in a document explaining your reasons and carry it with you.

If you're found to have lied you could face a fine or even a jail term.

Across the rest of continent, Austria is denying entry to people arriving from Italy, Britain's junior health minister has tested positive for the virus, and Poland is closing all schools.