World Health Organization

The easing of shutdowns is a hot topic, as economic output is now stalled in many countries – including the U.S. But ending a shutdown too soon could backfire, the World Health Organization says.

Some agencies and places urged or required people to use face coverings in public early on. Others dismissed the coverings as ineffective, then revised their stance. Why the differences?

Just over a week ago, the death toll was roughly half what it is now. Confirmed cases of the coronavirus have been reported in nearly every country across the world.

Millions of people in Africa are at high risk for COVID-19 and lack reliable access to doctors or medical equipment. Health officials are focusing on preventing the spread of the disease.

Trump said that the United States funds the majority of the organization's budget. The U.S. provided 14.67% of the WHO's funding in 2018-2019.

"This virus, which was unknown to us three months ago, has exposed the weaknesses and inequities in our health systems and societies," World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says.

The World Health Organization says that a high percentage of positive tests means that local health authorities are focusing on obvious cases and not getting a clear picture of epidemic's scope.

Testing and treating every case "is not an option; it's an obligation," says the WHO's Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Both Italy and the U.S. are poised to surpass China's tally of coronavirus cases.

Despite an alarming rush past 300,000 cases worldwide, the WHO's leader says, "We're not helpless bystanders. We can change the trajectory of this pandemic."

West Virginia was the final state without any reports of the coronavirus disease, but on Tuesday evening Gov. Jim Justice announced officials have confirmed the state's first case.