The World Health Organization says the global outbreak of COVID-19 can be characterized a "pandemic". Our host James Chau draws on his insights as a WHO Goodwill Ambassador to explain what this means and what will happen next. With over 100,00 confirmed cases and more than 4,000 deaths, the virus has spread to every continent on the planet - apart from Antarctica. Now, countries are under growing pressure to provide services that will allow them to detect, test, and treat their impacted populations. With China seeing a sharp drop in new infections, Japan, South Korea, and Iran still battling their outbreaks, while the United States and countries in Europe and Africa are seeing growing cases. This is our two minute guide to what you need to know.

Early data from the outbreak indicates that the ageing population, particularly those with pre-existing medical conditions, are more susceptible to infection. Nursing homes and elderly homes globally have reported community clusters. But the downside of that caution is the false sense of security that is sending to young people - especially those who are healthy. Our host James Chau speaks to Dr. Art Reingold, an epidemiologist at Berkeley with decades of first-hand experience with infectious diseases, including eight years at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He looks at the evolving outbreak in the US, and provides a balanced insight into different at risk groups, the impact of public health measures in different cultures, and the likelihood that it's going to take a turn for the worse without strong interventions.

Leaders from different countries all over the world are putting their minds together and collaborating on how to stop the current global health crisis. While constituents must hold them accountable in leading the way towards a safer, healthier world, we should put faith and trust in those who are trained and skilled to tackle this epidemic. Our host and WHO Goodwill Ambassador, James Chau, goes on The Point to offer his perspective on staying positive — and keeping politics out of health.