(Natural News) The World Health Organization has announced that Europe is now the “epicenter” of the global coronavirus pandemic.

WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a press conference that this is because more cases are being reported outside of China than in the coronavirus’ country of origin.

“Europe has now become the epicenter of the pandemic, with more reported cases and deaths than the rest of the world combined, apart from China… More cases are now being reported every day than were reported in China at the height of its pandemic,” said Dr. Tedros.

Dr. Tedros continued to say that every country in the world now needs to enact a more “comprehensive approach” to combating the spread of the coronavirus.

“Not testing alone, not contact tracing alone, not quarantine alone, not social distancing alone — do it all,” he said.

As of press time, the Johns Hopkins University’sCoronavirus Resource Center reports that there are now 145,369 confirmed coronavirus cases, including 5,429 deaths and 71,694 recoveries. While China still has the most reported cases by far, at 80,971, the rest of Europe is steadily catching up.

Coronavirus pandemic sweeps through Europe

On Wednesday, the WHO declared that COVID-19 is now characterized as a pandemic. European countries are reporting more cases each day, and each country is reacting differently to the spread of the disease.

Italy, which is the hardest-hit country in the world other than China, has been put under a national lockdown. The country reportedly has 17,660 cases, including 1,266 deaths. Under the rules of their lockdown, travel will only be allowed for people who have an “urgent reason.” Most businesses in the country, except for groceries and pharmacies, were ordered to close until April 3, and professional sporting events have been suspended. According to the Italian Foreign Minister, Luigi Di Maio, anybody who defies the lockdown and heads outside without a permit will either be fined or face criminal charges.