A poster with prevention information of COVID-19 is placed at the United Nation Office at Geneva. Photo: Liu Xin/ GT

The sharp spike in confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) in Italy and the Middle East has raised concerns on whether Europe and other countries should increase prevention efforts, as international events, including the 43rd session of the Human Rights Council is underway in Geneva, Switzerland. 

A senior official from the World Health Organization (WHO) warned of a potential pandemic. Chinese experts have recommended that countries take preventative measures and encourage citizens to wear face masks. 

By Monday night, five people in Italy had died from COVID-19, and 229 confirmed cases had been reported. At least a dozen towns are on lockdown. The Associated Press reported that as early as Monday morning, the virus had spread to six regions in northern Italy.

Italian residents under lockdown described the experience as "surreal," the Guardian reported.

Compared with the tense atmosphere in Italy, in Geneva of Switzerland, over 300 kilometers away from Lombardia, Italy, which has reported the highest number of cases, people are leading normal lives. 

The 43rd session opened Monday with diplomats, UN members, and representatives from non-governmental organizations worldwide in Geneva to discuss human rights. 

A Global Times reporter observed that nobody with the UN office wore face masks. Event staff at the venue said face masks were unnecessary unless a person was sick, otherwise, they would create public panic. 

Leaflets and posters printed with virus prevention information were distributed at the Palace of Nations.

The fliers recommend prevention methods for viruses, including cleaning hands frequently with soap and water, covering the mouth with a flexed elbow or tissue when coughing, and avoiding close contact with anyone who has a fever or cough.

An employee at a pharmacy told the Global Times that they had sold out of face masks and were expecting a new shipment to arrive within days, but couldn't confirm this as the situation has become complicated. The employee also said there was no need to worry as Italy was far away. 

Over the weekend, the Global Times found at the Geneva airport passengers flying from Beijing had free access to hand sanitizer and were suggested to remove their face masks unless they felt sick. The airport did have body temperature monitors to check incoming passengers. 

Xu Yao, a research fellow at the Human Rights Research Center of Nankai University, told the Global Times, "According to the current global spread of the coronavirus, we can see that COVID-19 has a stronger transmission and it has a longer latent period. We humans are facing a very deceitful virus."

Considering there isn't any medicine targeting the virus, the best way to deal with it is to take prevention measures and avoid public gatherings, Xu said.

Xu also noted the government and residents in Geneva might not have implemented enough prevention measures since the city is home to many international organizations and usually hosts global events. The frequent people-to-people-exchanges may lead to possible virus transmissions among those from developing countries.

"Most European countries have complete medical systems and are confident in their medical and health care mechanism. They also stress individual's freedom and non-discrimination, which may slow the governments' policy-making process and hinder their reactions in dealing with the virus," Xu said. 

European governments should promote COVID-19 prevention methods among their citizens to improve awareness and take necessary measures, including encouraging residents to wear masks, Xu suggested. 

On Monday, Federal Councilor Alain Berset of Switzerland held a press conference. The minister said that some 300 suspected cases had been analyzed, and some people have been placed in quarantine. 

"No cases" have been identified at this stage, local newspaper Le Temps reported.

Berset also noted that he is in daily contact with his Italian counterpart and German colleague. "Switzerland participates in the detection chain" at the European level.