File photo: CGTN

"Tragically, it is possible that the total deaths in developing countries will be far higher than in developed countries," Microsoft founder Bill Gates wrote in a post regarding the COVID-19 pandemic on Thursday, adding that the pandemic has not affected all countries equally.

The billionaire emphasized the importance of prevention measures in stopping the spread of the virus.

"The countries that reacted quickly to do lots of testing and isolation avoided large-scale infection," he wrote, adding that the benefits of early action also meant that these countries didn't have to shut down their economies as much as others.

Gates praised on China's actions against the virus as the first hit country. "They were able to use stringent isolation and extensive testing to stop most of the spread."

He continued to write that the less developed a country's economy is, the harder it is to make the behavior changes that reduce the virus' reproduction rate.

"If you live in an urban slum and do informal work to earn enough to feed your family every day, you won't find it easy to avoid contact with other people," Gates wrote. "Also, the health systems in these countries have far less capacity, so even providing oxygen treatment to everyone who needs it will be difficult."