European health ministers expressed concern about stocks of medicine and medical supplies Thursday and urged EU member states to work together against the new coronavirus outbreak.
There haves so far been only around 35 detected cases of the COVID-19 strain in the EU, and no-one has died, but the scale of the outbreak in China has raised concerns in Europe.
Each of the 27 EU member states is responsible for its own decisions on imposing emergency measures like quarantine, tighter border controls or travel warnings.
But, meeting in Brussels, the ministers called for increased vigilance and cooperation to help track and halt the virus, and to organise the joint procurement of medical supplies.
A statement urged "enhanced coordination between Member States to ensure effectiveness of all measures, including, if necessary, measures regarding travel, while safeguarding free movement within the EU."
"We are currently finalising the assessments on stock levels, especially regarding personal protective equipment and today we informed the ministers that we are indeed ready to launch joint procurement with member states to procure more equipment."
"It is obvious that the management of shortages is fundamental for the maintenance of health care."
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