Many European countries and elsewhere have shown that large COVID-19 outbreaks can be controlled, while the Americas with more than 50% of cases, remains the global epicenter, the World Health Organization (WHO) chief said Monday.

Axar.az reports citing foreign media.

Speaking at a thrice-weekly webinar, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said all countries are at risk of the virus and that many nations are losing gains.

Not all countries have been affected the same way, Tedros noted, while warning government leaders against issuing mixed messages.

He added: "If the basics aren't followed, there is only one way this pandemic is going to go. It's going to get worse and worse and worse."