Coronavirus probably circulating in Yemen, U.N. says, amid funding shortage

There is a “very real probability” the new coronavirus is circulating in Yemen, the United Nations said on Tuesday, warning that an aid funding shortfall would compromise efforts to combat the virus in one of the most vulnerable countries.

The office of the U.N. aid chief in Yemen said that based on transmission patterns in other countries and given 17 days have passed since Yemen reported its first case, “agencies are warning there is now a very real probability that the virus has been circulating undetected and unmitigated within communities”.

“This increases the likelihood of a surge of cases which may quickly overwhelm health capacities,” it said in a statement.