With the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak labelled a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO), the message out for countries across the globe is loud and clear: double down on efforts to stop the spread of the deadly virus. Lethargy and inaction could prove disastrous.

Since the novel coronavirus first emerged in late December 2019, over 127,000 cases have already been recorded in 115 countries and territories, killing more than 4,680 people.

The pandemic has proved to be one of the biggest health challenges facing the globalised world, dealing a stiff blow across varied sectors, badly bruising social and economic activities.

Fear, however, should not be allowed to go viral and it should be remembered that if countries detect, test, treat, isolate, trace and mobilise their people in the response, we can go a long way to mitigating transmission, as UN officials point out.

The COVID-19 turbulence cuts across all areas. The US Congress is shutting the Capitol to the public until April. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has announced plans for a halt to all transport in and out of the capital Manila.

World markets are enduring violent swings amid uncertainty about how badly the outbreak will hit the economy. An early plunge of 7% on Wall Street triggered a trading halt as a sell-off slamming global markets continued.

The Dow Jones industrials dropped more than 1,600 points, or 7%, the S&P 500 fell a similar amount, before a break.

The abrupt announcement by US President Donald Trump imposing sweeping travel restrictions, which applies to citizens of 26 European countries, added to the panic and exposed his lack of coordination with European authorities.

The fact that thousands are fighting for their lives in hospitals implies the toll from COVID-19 is likely to climb in coming days and weeks. Nonetheless, one encouraging aspect that should not be ignored is more than 60,000 people have recovered from the coronavirus.

Robust containment and control activities are needed to reduce the impact of the pandemic and the UAE is moving on the right track on this front.

There is no need for fear as the Ministry of Health and Prevention, MoHAP, has assured that medical facilities have been equipped with all the necessary medical equipment and supplies to provide care and take all measures required to deal with COVID-19, including airborne infection isolation rooms, following World Health Organization, WHO, standards.

The general public has a role to play and should adhere to preventative health and personal hygiene measures to prevent the spread of the epidemic.

Basic protective measures need to be taken such as the frequent washing of hands; when coughing and sneezing to cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue and discarding of the tissue immediately; and to seek early medical care if symptoms of fever, cough and difficulty in breathing arise.

Individuals with respiratory illness symptoms need to avoid mixing in crowded places.

Members of the public should seek information from official sources, and avoid the spreading of misinformation.

International collaboration is undoubtedly essential to effectively address the coronavirus outbreak.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ message well sums up the need of the hour:  “The declaration of a #COVID19 pandemic is a call to action – for everyone, everywhere. It’s also a call for responsibility & solidarity – as nations united and as people united. As we fight the virus, we cannot let fear go viral. Let’s overcome this common threat together.”