The World Health Organisation (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned on Friday (Mar. 20) that young people are not spared from Covid-19 outbreak.

"You are not invincible"

Speaking at an online news conference from the WHO headquarters in Geneva, Tedros said:

"Today, I have a message for young people: You are not invincible.

The virus could put you in hospital for weeks, or even kill you."

Young people are not invincible from #COVID19. The #coronavirus could put you in hospital for weeks, or even kill you. Even if you don’t get sick, the choices you make about where you go could be the difference between life and death for someone else. https://t.co/fOK1OkINbK pic.twitter.com/KDpVKxw5bB

— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) March 20, 2020

Although older people are hardest hit, younger people are not spared, the WHO chief warned.

Tedros added that the data from several countries showed that people under 50 also make up a significant proportion of patients that require hospitalisation.

In Singapore, 15 out of 40 newly-reported cases on Friday (Mar. 20) were under 30 years old.

He also thanked many young people for "spreading the word and not the virus", adding that solidarity was essential to overcoming the Covid-19 crisis.

Welcomed developments in Wuhan, China

Tedros also spoke about the recent developments in Wuhan, China, the original epicentre of the outbreak.

As of Mar. 21, Wuhan has seen zero new infections for three consecutive days.

He welcomed the developments in the recovering city, stating:

"Wuhan provides hope for the rest of the world, that even the most severe situation can be turned around."

However, he also said to exercise caution, as the situation could reverse.

President Halimah: Please remember too that no age group is invincible

In her recent Facebook post on 21. Mar, President Halimah Yacob expressed her deepest condolences to the families of the two Covid-19 patients who passed away this morning.

She also expressed her deepest appreciation to all the healthcare workers who had worked so hard looking after them and must be deeply affected by the loss.

Halimah urged Singaporeans to "do a lot more to keep ourselves, our friends, neighbours and families safe".

She reminded everyone that no age group is invincible.

She noted the WHO's announcement to young people because of the concern that many think that Covid19 only infects older people.

She said that the virus infects everyone except that older people are more vulnerable because of lower immunities and pre-existing conditions.

She also said that infected young people can spread the infection to others who are more vulnerable.