GENEVA, March 11 -- The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday that the COVID-19 outbreak can be characterized as a "pandemic" as the virus spreads increasingly worldwide.

"We have therefore made the assessment that COVID-19 can be characterized as a pandemic," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a press conference.

Tedros said the WHO is "deeply concerned both by the alarming levels of spread and severity, as well as by the alarming levels of inaction."

He urged the international community to take urgent and aggressive action to contain the pandemic.

There are now more than 118,000 confirmed cases in 114 countries and regions, and 4,291 people have lost their lives, he said, noting that the number of coronavirus cases, deaths, as well as affected countries is expected to climb even higher in the days and weeks ahead.

"We have never before seen a pandemic sparked by a coronavirus. And we have never before seen a pandemic that can be controlled at the same time," the WHO chief said, stressing "all countries can still change the course of this pandemic."

Thanks to the arduous efforts of the Chinese government and people, China's prevention and control has achieved progress with daily new confirmed cases declining from thousands to 24 on Tuesday. Beijing has also sent medical teams to other countries to help contain the virus spread.

However, cases of infection have been rising rapidly in Europe and other parts of the world, with Italy being the hardest-hit country.

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