World Health Organization

"The world is in a new and dangerous phase," WHO's director-general says. "Many people are understandably fed up with being at home ... but the virus is still spreading fast."

That's the word some doctors used for a World Health Organization statement. At issue: 1) How many people are infected with COVID-19 but show no symptoms? and 2) Can asymptomatic people infect others?

The coronavirus pandemic has brought the world to its knees, says U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres. He says the global body requires more enforcement mechanisms and more "appetite to bite."

Global health experts weigh in on the short- and long-term consequences of the U.S. breaking ties with the World Health Organization.

On Friday, President Trump said he would sever ties — and funding — to the World Health Organization because of its relationship with China. On Monday, WHO offers its first official response.

So far, there is no seasonal pattern to coronavirus outbreaks, the WHO's Dr. Margaret Harris says. Lockdowns may not be necessary, she says, but infections rise when restrictions are relaxed rapidly.

The WHO cited a scientific study published last week suggesting that proposed COVID-19 drug hydroxychloroqine may do more harm than good in halting its study to review data.

The analysis from Columbia University focused on the period from March 15 to May 3, when states and counties implemented "measures enforcing social distancing and restricting individual contact."

In his letter threatening to withdraw the U.S. from the World Health Organization and halt all funding, Trump made a number of charges about WHO's handling of the coronavirus crisis.

By not inviting Taiwan to its health assembly, the World Health Organization kept out "scientific expertise on pandemic disease" and "damaged the WHO's credibility," the secretary of state said.

The 73rd annual World Health Assembly, which begins Monday, will be held virtually for the first-time ever. It will also be focused on the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

President Trump put a hold on funds to the World Health Organization, but the U.S. is already behind in its dues to the organization by more than a year.