The world is facing a chronic shortage of personal protective equipment against the new coronavirus, World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Friday.

Tedros addressed the organization's executive board in Geneva, saying that acting in solidarity will help to stop the 2019nCoV outbreak sooner.

"No one country or organization can stop this outbreak alone. Our best hope – and our only hope – is to work together", Tedros said.

"Solidarity, solidarity, solidarity. We have a common enemy which is dangerous, and which can bring serious upheaval – social, economic and political. This is the time to fight it in unison", he added. 

Tedros said on his Twitter account later the day that the WHO is mobilizing the full power of the UN system and bringing together partners to support countries respond to the outbreak of novel coronavirus pneumonia.  

Read more: WHO chief: World should use 'window of opportunity' to act