When did the World Health Organization declare COVID-19 a pandemic?
2021
When did the World Health Organization declare COVID-19 a pandemic?
Answer: A. 11 March 2020 — ConceptA public-health milestone must be identified from the exact wording and date used by the responsible authority. An outbreak, a Public Health Emergency…
- A.
11 March 2020
- B.
13 January 2020
- C.
22 February 2020
- D.
21 January 2020
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Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Concept
A public-health milestone must be identified from the exact wording and date used by the responsible authority.
An outbreak, a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, and a pandemic are distinct classifications; the official announcement fixes the relevant date.
Application
In the WHO Director-General’s media briefing, COVID-19 was characterized as a pandemic on 11 March 2020, after sustained global spread had been observed.
Contrast
13 January 2020 belongs to the earlier outbreak phase and predates the WHO pandemic characterization.
22 February 2020 also predates the WHO pandemic characterization.
21 January 2020 belongs to the earlier outbreak phase and predates the WHO pandemic characterization.
Cross-check
The WHO timeline and the Director-General’s 11 March 2020 remarks independently identify the same milestone date.
Result
Therefore, the required date is 11 March 2020.