“Like everyone else around the world, we have been deeply concerned by the evolving situation of the Coronavirus and the human tragedy surrounding it”, the statement said. “Given growing health concerns related to the virus, the management of the IMF and World Bank Group and their executive boards have agreed to implement a joint plan to adapt the 2020 IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings to a virtual format”.
An increasing number of organizations have decided to hold meetings via video link or conference call to limit the risks of contact as the naval coronavirus becomes a global contagion.
COVID-19 has infected nearly 93,000 people and killed more than 3,150 globally. Meanwhile, nearly 48,000 patients have recovered.
China leads the global infection tally despite seeing a slowdown in the pace of reported cases. More than 60 countries have confirmed infections globally, with South Korea, Italy and Iran emerging as virus hotbeds last month.