WHO official on coronavirus: We are in an epidemic situation, not a pandemic

“We are not in a pandemic yet. We are in an epidemic situation with multiple foci," said Sylvie Briand, Director of the World Health Organization's pandemic and epidemic diseases department, during a press conference on Tuesday.

There are currently 23 countries outside of China with reported cases, Briand told reporters.

The WHO official stressed that masks are necessary for infected patients. "In that way they can protect others as the virus is primarily transmitted through droplets," she pointed out.