Sri Lanka, March 19 -- The World Health Organization warns many countries are facing the escalating pandemic of COVID-19, and that all should be prepared to tackle this deadly virus before it arrives within their borders. WHO reports the number of coronavirus cases globally now tops 200,000, including more than 8,000 deaths.

More than 80 percent of these cases and deaths are occurring in two regions, namely, Europe and the western Pacific, which includes China. But the World Health Organization warns the coronavirus epidemic is rapidly accelerating in all regions of the world.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus calls the virus an unprecedented threat and says no country, community or person is immune from this deadly disease.

"Do not...