They make the case that the coronavirus pandemic can't be brought under control without the WHO saying "WHO is the only organization with the technical capacity and global mandate to support the public health response of all countries during this critical time."

Their plea comes at a pivotal moment. Last week Trump put WHO funding from the US on hold and ordered a review of the body which he has accused of mismanaging the outbreak.

The US has been the largest funder of the organization since it was founded in 1948.

According to worldometers.info, the COVID-19 pandemic has spread to 210 countries and territories worldwide with more than 2.8 million infection and more than 190,000 deaths. The US is hardest hit by far with nearly 890,00 cases and more than 50,000 deaths.