The head of the World Health Organization urged countries to “double down” on fighting the coronavirus a day after declaring the global health threat a pandemic.

“Describing this as a pandemic does not mean that countries should give up. The idea that countries should shift from containment to mitigation is wrong and dangerous,” Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Thursday. “On the contrary, we have to double down.”

He advised all countries to take on a four-pronged strategy that involves preparation, detection, reducing transmission and innovation.

“Countries that decide to give up on fundamental public health measures may end up with a larger problem, and a heavier burden on the health system that requires more severe measures to control,” Tedros said.

Tedros’ comments come as the deadly virus spreads to more than 125,000 people in at least 118 countries and territories, according to figures from the WHO.

“We urge all countries to take a comprehensive approach tailored to their circumstances — with containment as the central pillar,” he said.