Reply #20: To open up more testing, monitoring, investigations, to keep it from growing around the world

[uppityperson]

Realize that the number who have been diagnosed or dead is smaller than the number that truly have had it or died since not everyone has been tested.

Raising the level means that there are now more things available to monitor the situation, which is changing rapidly. As more tests become available, and more are tested, more will show up positive.

This does not mean OMG WE'RE GONNA DIE, but that they are more able to keep an eye on this unusual virus. Here in the USA, and in other countries (oh hell, what's the current term? Developed? Industrial? ) we will be watched more closely. In poorer countries, those without the sanitation, etc etc etc, once this starts spreading it could get very bad.

Upping the level/phase ALSO means they have recognized that it has spread to a couple countries and can spread further. Would you rather have them just ignore it and have, say, Nicaragua have a lot of dead people?

WHO is World Health.