The World Health Organization (WHO) has formally pronounced the coronavirus pestilence as a worldwide pandemic. On the show front, Fleshgod Apocalypse is the most recent act to drop a North American tour, with their nation of origin of Italy on complete lockdown.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus addressed the media earlier today (March 11) to declare the spread of coronavirus as a pandemic. ”This is the first pandemic caused by coronavirus. In the past two weeks, the number of cases of COVID-19 outside China has increased 13-fold, and the number of affected countries has tripled.”

He continues, “In the days and weeks ahead, we expect to see the number of cases, the number of deaths, and the number of affected countries climb even higher. Describing the situation as a pandemic does not change WHO’s assessment of the threat posed by the virus. It doesn’t change what WHO is doing. And it doesn’t change what countries should do.” [via NPR]

As for Fleshgod Apocalypse, the death metal band offered a sorrowful statement for having to postpone their tour:

The Centers for Disease Control has been reminding Americans not to panic and that the danger of getting the Coronavirus in the U.S. is presently low, however, to keep yourself healthy. Try to wash your hands, abstain from touching your face with unwashed hands, spread your cough or sneeze with a tissue and remain at home in case you’re feeling sick.