Rolling updates on coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
Updated 15 April 2020
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Credits
How the World Health Organization works with all people, everywhere
15 April 2020
"Our mandate is to work to promote the health of all people everywhere...without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition." Steven Solomon, Principal Legal Officer, WHO.
A relentless commitment to science, solutions and solidarity
15 April 2020
Speaking at the COVID-19 media briefing, WHO's Director-General stressed that our "commitment to public health, science and to serving all the people of the world without fear or favour remains absolute."
Since the beginning, @WHO has been fighting the #COVID19 pandemic with every ounce of our soul and spirit. We will continue to work with every country and every partner, to serve the people of the world, with a relentless commitment to science, solutions and solidarity. pic.twitter.com/7UrxtxQYwp
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) April 15, 2020
"The United States of America has been a longstanding and generous friend to WHO, and we hope it will continue to be so.
We regret the decision of the President of the United States to order a halt in funding to the World Health Organization.
With support from the people and government of the United States, WHO works to improve the health of many of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people.
In due course, WHO’s performance in tackling this pandemic will be reviewed by WHO’s Member States and the independent bodies that are in place to ensure transparency and accountability. This is part of the usual process put in place by our
Member States.
No doubt, areas for improvement will be identified and there will be lessons for all of us to learn.
But for now, our focus – my focus – is on stopping this virus and saving lives.
WHO is grateful to the many nations, organizations and individuals who have expressed their support and commitment to WHO in recent days, including their financial commitment.
We welcome this demonstration of global solidarity, because solidarity is the rule of the game to defeat COVID-19.
WHO is getting on with the job."
Key materials:
WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID-19 - 15 April 2020
Major update to COVID-19 dashboard
14 April 2020
Supported by the WHO Technology for COVID-19 initiative, a pro-bono collaboration of technology companies, WHO released a substantial update to its COVID-19 information dashboard.
Users can view:
- A mobile-friendly version of the dashboard.
- New and confirmed cases and deaths globally with daily statistics.
- National info by clicking on any country on the interactive map.
- Reported cases by WHO region including daily and cumulative statistics.
- Confirmed cases and deaths, and changes over time in a specific country, region, or territory, on the interactive chart.
- A new explorer tab designed to provide complex datasets for easy access and use, with variables selectable across three axes.
In future, the platform should be updated with new data sets from national and sub-national levels, as well as clinical trials and country-specific public health measures.
WHO updates #COVID19 dashboard with better data visualization 👉 https://t.co/h7o3A0MiHj #coronavirus pic.twitter.com/0kghRaLiPQ
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) April 14, 2020
Key materials:
COVID-19 information dashboard
Feature story: WHO updates COVID-19 dashboard with better data visualization
Major relief airlift will bring vital medical supplies to all African nations
14 April 2020
Today the first United Nations “Solidarity Flight” departed from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. From there, vital medical cargo will be transported to all countries in Africa, where supplies are desperately needed to contain the spread of COVID-19.
WHO cargo is being transported by the World Food Programme (WFP), and includes a large quantity of medical supplies donated by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and the Jack Ma Foundation Initiative to reverse COVID-19 in Africa. The African Union, through the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), is providing technical support and coordination for the distribution of the supplies.
The crucial WHO cargo includes laboratory supplies to support surveillance and detection, one million face masks, and enough personal protective equipment to enable health workers to care for more than 30 000 patients across the continent.
The Government of the United Arab Emirates generously supported this operation, with WHO’s regional logistics hub in Dubai playing a key role in making sure the supplies are prepared and shipped to where they are most needed.
Very glad to share this news: today, the 1st @UN solidarity flight departs Addis Ababa, 🇪🇹 carrying vital #COVID19 medical supplies to all African nations.
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) April 14, 2020
The Solidarity Flight is part of a larger effort to ship lifesaving medical supplies to 95 countries https://t.co/IRPiOP4fg6 pic.twitter.com/1hTD1XBOjh
Key materials:
Expert group forms to collaborate on vaccine development
13 April 2020
Coordinated by WHO, scientists, physicians, funders and manufacturers have come together to help speed up the availability of a vaccine against COVID-19.
Our response to the #COVID19 pandemic must be led by science & solidarity. Under @WHO’s coordination, a group of experts with diverse backgrounds is working towards the development of vaccines against #COVID19: https://t.co/Fa7VgvAWbz
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) April 13, 2020
Key materials
Public statement for collaboration on COVID-19 vaccine development
Five Heroic Acts campaign goes live
10 April 2020
I would like to thank @readmark and @WPP for their support and creativity as we fight #COVID19. Messages of solidarity and shared purpose can help us all at this time, as we see in this inspiring new spot for our Five Heroic Acts campaign.pic.twitter.com/QGMQn5KqSj #coronavirus
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) April 10, 2020
Book released to help children and young people cope with COVID-19
9 April 2020
“My Hero is You, How kids can fight COVID-19!”, a new story book to help children understand and come to terms with COVID-19 has been produced by a collaboration of more than 50 organizations working in the humanitarian sector.
More than 1700 children, parents, caregivers and teachers from around the world shared how they were coping with the COVID-19 pandemic, which helped script writer and illustrator Helen Patuck and the project team ensure the book resonated with children from different backgrounds.
📚 A new story book “My Hero is You, How kids can fight COVID-19!” - aimed at children aged 6-11 years old, is released today to help children understand and come to terms with #COVID19 https://t.co/L23wN2LZwB#coronavirus pic.twitter.com/HDC5aAsHna
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) April 9, 2020
Howard Donald gave the book's first public reading, as part of the #ReadTheWorld initiative, run by WHO, UNICEF and the International Publishers Association.
Key materials:
News release of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee
'My Hero is You, Storybook for Children on COVID-19 (PDF available in 12 languages)
"Please quarantine politicising COVID-19"
8 April 2020
The WHO Director-General appealed for national unity and global solidarity in responding to COVID-19.
𝙈𝙮 𝙢𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙖𝙜𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙥𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙨: 𝙙𝙤 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙥𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙯𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙫𝙞𝙧𝙪𝙨. 𝙄𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙥𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚, 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠 𝙖𝙘𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙨 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙮 𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙞𝙚𝙨.@DrTedros appeals for unity over #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/pDMN6Lu5np
— UN Geneva (@UNGeneva) April 8, 2020
To help alleviate suffering and save lives, WHO has been working night and day in five key ways:
1. Helping build countries' capacity to prepare and respond
2. Providing accurate information and fight the infodemic, together with numerous partners
3. Ensuring supplies of essential medical equipment for frontline health workers.
4. Training and mobilizing health workers.
5. Accelerating research and development.
Key materials:
YouTube recording of WHO Director-General's opening remarks
WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID-19 - 8 April 2020
New tools to help hospitals manage surge in COVID-19 patients
8 April 2020
WHO has released three surge calculators to help with forecasting supplies, diagnostics, equipment requirements, beds needed and estimating how many of each type of health worker are required each day.
WHO has launched two new tools to assist health planners across the WHO European Region during the #COVID19 pandemic.
— WHO/Europe (@WHO_Europe) April 9, 2020
Find out more 👉 https://t.co/6KcFcmhi9K pic.twitter.com/V6B1w44QOQ
Key materials:
WHO COVID-19 Essential Supplies Forecasting Tool (ESFT) - as of 30 March 2020
Adaptt Surge Planning Support Tool - 8 April 2020
Health Workforce Estimator - 8 April 2020
Latest technical guidance for resource planning
Ad-hoc consultation on managing the COVID-19 infodemic
8-9 April 2020
Bringing together scientists, public health decision-makers, medical journalists, technology and social media platforms and civil society, this consultation aimed to develop a framework for interventions to help share reliable information, while reducing misinformation, rumours and myths about COVID-19.
Topics included raising awareness of the volume of information on the Internet, perceptions of the use of qualified sources for health decision-making and strengthening digital literacy.
We’re in a pandemic - and an #infodemic. Day 2 of #illustrating for the #WHO about #infodemicCOVID19.
— Sam Bradd (@drawing_change) April 8, 2020
An infodemic is too much information – some accurate and some not, and also info that's always changing. It's a special challenge for communicating with health workers. pic.twitter.com/z0XSHgmIhY
Nurses and midwives celebrated on World Health Day
7 April 2020
In this International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife, World Health Day highlights the critical role played by nurses and midwives, who are at the forefront of the COVID-19 response globally.
It’s #WorldHealthDay!
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) April 6, 2020
Today, we celebrate the work of nurses & midwives by showing our appreciation for their bravery, courage & resolve in the global #COVID19 response.
Tell us who your favourite nurse or midwife is 💐.
#SupportNursesAndMidwives ➡️ https://t.co/ZFkbyJFmG0 pic.twitter.com/02Skex6uW8
Our #ThanksHealthHeroes challenge launches, calling on individuals to tell the world about a nurse or a midwife they are personally grateful to.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and Chief Nursing Officer Elizabeth Iro held a Facebook Live discussion on COVID-19 with nurses and midwives in Pakistan, Iran, Italy and Malawi.
Key materials:
The State of the World’s Nursing Report - 2020
World Health Day Campaign page
#ThanksHealthHeroes Challenge page
Facebook Live on COVID-19 and nursing
133 countries provided with critical supplies
7 April 2020
Since the beginning of the outbreak, the Operations Support and Logistics (OSL) unit at WHO has shipped more than 900 000 surgical masks, 62 000 N95 masks, 1 million gloves, 115 000 gowns, 17 000 goggles and 34 000 face shields to 133 countries.
OSL has also shipped COVID-19 testing kits to 126 countries.
Key materials:
Advice on the use of masks
6 April 2020
WHO issued updated guidance on masks, including a new section on advice to decision-makers on mask use by healthy people in communities.
"There is no black or white answer, and no silver bullet. Masks alone cannot stop the #COVID19 pandemic. Countries must continue to find, test, isolate and treat every case and trace every contact"-@DrTedros #coronavirus
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) April 6, 2020
Key materials:
WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID-19 - 6 April 2020
Advice on the use of masks in the context of COVID-19
WHO Twitter thread on use of masks
WHO launches #BeActive campaign with FIFA
6 April 2020
WHO has joined forces with FIFA to launch the #BeActive campaign on the UN International Day of Sport for Development and Peace to encourage people to be #HealthyAtHome as the world comes together in the fight against COVID-19, today and every day.
The campaign kicks off with Real Madrid CF, FC Barcelona, Liverpool FC and Manchester United FC asking football fans to set aside their rivalries and to come together to #BeActive.
Key materials:
Launch video with Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool FC) and Marcus Rashford (Manchester United FC)
WHO helps boost availability of COVID-19 laboratory supplies in Iraq
5 April 2020
With a global shortage of supplies and equipment to fight the coronavirus pandemic, WHO and Basra University are successfully producing urgently needed laboratory items for testing suspected COVID-19 cases in Iraq.
In cooperation with the @WHOIraq, the #Covid_19 Crisis Cell of @BasraUniversity in southern #Iraq has successfully produced urgently-needed laboratory supplies to speed up the testing of suspected cases. More in https://t.co/bDxvPx3R8j. 1/4 pic.twitter.com/BfcBGcBzXK
— WHO Iraq (@WHOIraq) April 5, 2020
Key materials:
IMF and WHO make joint call to protect lives & livelihoods
3 April 2020
WHO held a joint press conference with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva speaking and taking questions.
The conference covered the profound economic impacts of the pandemic, highlighting the importance of debt relief to avoid economic collapse and social welfare programs to ensure people have essentials.
The WHO Director-General and IMF Managing Director also co-authored an op-ed arguing that the trade-off between saving lives or jobs is a false dilemma.
My sister @KGeorgieva and I are joining forces to fight #COVID19 and protect lives and livelihoods. Here is our shared opinion piece:https://t.co/pz8RwCH0Sj
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) April 3, 2020
Key materials:
YouTube recording of media briefing
WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID-19 - 3 April 2020
Opening remarks by Kristalina Georgieva
Op-ed by Kristalina Georgieva and Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
#HealthyAtHome campaign begins
2 April 2020
WHO is providing advice to help you and your family be healthy at home, with tips on staying physically active, looking after our mental health, quitting tobacco and healthy parenting.
We are also encouraging people to share how they are staying #HealthyAtHome as part of our new challenge.
Many people are making great sacrifices to #StayHome & protect their health & that of others from #COVID19.
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) April 2, 2020
Here some ideas to stay healthy:
🏃♀️Be active
🥕Eat healthy
🚭Don’t smoke
🧘♀️Meditate
📚Read books
Join the new @WHO challenge & show us what you do to be #HealthyAtHome! pic.twitter.com/f9adab39Ci
Key materials:
#HealthyAtHome campaign website
'Read the World' launches on International Children’s Book Day
2 April 2020
WHO joined with UNICEF and the International Publishers Association to launch a reading initiative to support children and young people in isolation.
The collaboration began with a reading by Italian author Elisabetta Dami, creator of the popular character Geronimo Stilton.
Today is #InternationalChildrensBookDay 📚!
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) April 2, 2020
WHO, @UNICEF and @IntPublishers, launch #ReadTheWorld initiative to support children and young people in isolation during #COVID19👉 https://t.co/tI00tZdj8P pic.twitter.com/q8F5nmzvAH
Key materials:
Polio programme supports COVID-19 response
2 April 2020
To reduce the risk of increasing transmission of COVID-19, the Polio Oversight Board made the difficult decision to suspend house-to-house vaccination campaigns. For the next four to six months, Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) programmatic and operational assets and human resources, from global to country level, will be made available to enable a strong response to COVID-19, while maintaining critical polio functions, such as surveillance and global vaccine supply management.
"The Global Polio Eradication Initiative is working to ensure that once it is safe to do so, countries can be supported to rapidly restart polio vaccination campaigns.
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) April 3, 2020
While all our energy may be focused on #COVID19 now, our commitment to #EndPolio is unshakeable"-@DrTedros
Key materials:
WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID-19 - 3 April 2020
Global Polio Eradication Initiative's Call to action to support COVID-19 response
Nigeria’s polio infrastructure bolsters COVID-19 response
New tool to analyse COVID-19 responses across Europe launched
2 April 2020
The COVID-19 Health System Response Monitor (HSRM) online platform is a joint undertaking between the WHO Regional Office for Europe, the European Commission and the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies. It will systematically map and analyse responses, offer cross-country comparisons and track wider public health initiatives.
A joint project with WHO/Europe, @OBShealth & @EU_Commission, the new platform will provide policy-makers and governments with clear, comparable evidence to:
— WHO/Europe (@WHO_Europe) April 2, 2020
✅ inform policy
✅ strengthen their capacity to respond to #COVID19
(ENDS)
Key materials:
COVID-19 Health System Response Monitor
WHO in Africa holds first ‘hackathon’ for COVID-19
1 April 2020
WHO’s Regional Office for Africa hosted a virtual ‘hackathon’ bringing together 100 leading innovators to pioneer creative local solutions to the COVID-19 pandemic and to address critical gaps in the regional response.
Proposals ranged from mobile-driven self-diagnosis, screening and mapping tools to alternative low-cost methods for producing personal protective equipment (PPE). The three highest ranking groups will now receive seed funding and WHO support to help develop and implement their solutions.
This week, @WHO AFRO launched the first virtual #COVID19 innovation "Hackathon".👩🏿💻
— WHO African Region (@WHOAFRO) April 1, 2020
The event is bringing together 100 innovators from all over #Africa to create home-grown solutions to challenges & gaps in the COVID-19 response on the continent. pic.twitter.com/ysgeRHZsGd
Key materials:
WHO launches chatbot with Rakuten Viber
31 March 2020
Viber is a free messaging and calling app. Once subscribed to the WHO Viber chatbot, users will receive notifications with the latest news and information directly from WHO. Users can also learn how to protect themselves and test their knowledge on coronavirus through an interactive quiz that helps bust myths.
WHO and @Viber fight #COVID19 misinformation with interactive chatbot in multiple languages
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) April 1, 2020
👉https://t.co/sMe1Ip3j6U pic.twitter.com/j8kDYp3TvC
Key materials:
Falsified medical products, including in vitro diagnostics, that claim to prevent, detect, treat or cure COVID-19
31 March 2020
This Medical Product Alert warns consumers, healthcare professionals, and health authorities against a growing number of falsified medical products that claim to prevent, detect, treat or cure COVID-19.
The Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic (caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2) has increased demand for medicines, vaccines, diagnostics and reagents, all related to COVID-19, creating an opportunity for ill-intended persons to distribute falsified medical products
Due diligence is required from all actors in the procurement, use and administration of medical products, in particular those affected by the current crisis of, or related to, COVID-19.
At this stage, WHO does not recommend any medicines to treat or cure COVID-19. However, the SOLIDARITY trial, led by WHO, is reviewing potential treatments for COVID-19.
Updated guidance on maintaining access to health services
30 March 2020
Previous outbreaks have shown that when health systems are overwhelmed, deaths from vaccine-preventable and other treatable conditions can also increase dramatically.
WHO has updated operational planning guidelines to help countries balance the demands of responding directly to COVID-19 while maintaining essential health service delivery, protecting health care workers and mitigating the risk of system collapse.
Amidst #COVID19, It’s vital to deliver vaccines 💉 to protect people from old killers. New guidance 📕 provides all countries with advice on the importance of maintaining safe immunization services during a pandemic 👉https://t.co/JPh2xp1mr8
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) March 31, 2020
Key materials:
Operational guidance for maintaining essential health services during an outbreak
News release on maintaining essential services
New guide to help countries expand access to essential medicines
WHO WhatsApp health alert launches in Arabic, French and Spanish
27 March 2020
Today, WHO is launching dedicated messaging services in Arabic, French and Spanish with partners WhatsApp and Facebook to keep people safe from coronavirus. This easy-to-use messaging service has the potential to reach 2 billion people and enables WHO to get information directly into the hands of the people that need it.
From government leaders to health workers and family and friends, this messaging service will provide the latest news and information on coronavirus including details on symptoms and how people can protect themselves and others. It also provides the latest situation reports and numbers in real-time to help government decision-makers protect the health of their populations.
The service can be accessed by a link that opens a conversation on WhatsApp. Users can simply type “hi”, "salut", "hola" or "مرحبا" to activate the conversation, prompting a menu of options that can help answer their questions about COVID-19.
Join WHO's Health Alert on WhatsApp:
Arabic
Send "مرحبا" to +41 22 501 70 23 on WhatsApp
French
Send "salut" to +41 22 501 72 98 on WhatsApp
Spanish
Send "hola" to +41 22 501 76 90 on WhatsApp
English
Send "hi" to +41 79 893 18 92 on WhatsApp
Extraordinary Virtual G20 Leaders’ Summit on COVID-19
26 March 2020
Addressing the Extraordinary Summit on COVID-19, chaired by King Salman of Saudi Arabia, the WHO Director-General called on G20 leaders to fight, unite, and ignite against COVID-19.
Honoured to address the @g20org Extraordinary Summit on #COVID19, chaired by @KingSalman. I asked them to:
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) March 26, 2020
1. Fight like our lives depend on it, because they do.
2. Unite. We will only get out of this together.
3. Ignite a global movement to ensure this never happens again.
Key materials:
Mission to Egypt concludes
25 March 2020
The team of experts noted the "significant work" being done by Egypt, "especially in the areas of early detection, laboratory testing, isolation, contact tracing and referral of patients".
With support from WHO and other partners, Egypt now has the capacity to conduct up to 200,000 tests.
WHO will work with national health authorities to enhance the isolation, quarantine and referral mechanisms, and scale up infection prevention and control practices to ensure that patients and health workers are protected.
اختتم الفريق التقني الذي أوفدته منظمة الصحة العالمية @WHO إلى #مصر 🇪🇬 مؤخراً مهمته حول #COVID19 بنتائج رئيسية عن العمل الجاد الذي يتم القيام به للسيطرة على تفشي المرض، خاصة في مجالات الكشف عن الحالات وتتبع المخالطين، والفحص المختبري، وإحالة المرضى. pic.twitter.com/aG8dwMJSCI
— WHO EMRO (@WHOEMRO) March 27, 2020
Key materials:
UN launches COVID-19 Global Humanitarian Response Plan to #InvestInHumanity
25 March 2020
The UN today issued a $2 billion appeal to fight coronavirus in the most vulnerable countries.
Properly funded, it will provide laboratory materials for testing, supplies to protect health workers and medical equipment to treat the sick. It will bring water and sanitation to places facing shortages, and will help humanitarian workers and supplies get to where they are needed most to support the COVID-19 response.
Today, @antonioguterres @UNReliefChief @DrTedros @unicefchief launched the #COVID19 Global Humanitarian Response Plan, appealing for $2 billion to fight #coronavirus in the most vulnerable countries.
— Mark Lowcock (@UNReliefChief) March 25, 2020
We will only win this battle through solidarity. https://t.co/SnNVFi1FCP
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus joined UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for the plan's virtual launch, together with UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Mark Lowcock and UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore.
Writing in the Washington Post, the WHO Director-General and UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs co-authored a piece calling on countries to fund the plan while sustaining support for existing humanitarian and refugee response plans.
Mark Lowcock @UNReliefChief & I are calling on countries to:
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) March 25, 2020
-Support & fund the @UN global humanitarian response plan
-Sustain funding to existing humanitarian & refugee response plans
Here is our full piece in the @washingtonpost:https://t.co/Z4APoxrZZ4
Key materials:
Global Humanitarian Response Plan: UN Coordinated Appeal (April-December 2020)
OCHA News Story: UN issues $2 billion appeal to combat COVID-19
YouTube recording: Launch of the COVID-19 Global Humanitarian Response Plan
Washington Post piece: The coronavirus threatens all of humanity. All of humanity must fight back.
UN Secretary General's Remarks
Off-label use of medicines for COVID-19
25 March 2020
No pharmaceutical products have yet been shown to be safe and effective for the treatment of COVID-19. However, a number of medicines have been suggested as potential investigational therapies, many of which are now being or will soon be studied in clinical trials, including the SOLIDARITY trial co-sponsored by WHO and participating countries.
In many countries, doctors are giving COVID-19 patients medicines that have not been approved for this disease. The use of licensed medicines for indications that have not been approved by a national medicines regulatory authority is considered “off-label” use. The prescription of medicines for off-label use by doctors may be subject to national laws and regulations. All health care workers should be aware of and comply with the laws and regulations governing their practice. Further, such prescribing should be done on a case-by-case basis. Unnecessary stockpiling and the creation of shortages of approved medicines that are required to treat other diseases should be avoided.
It can be ethically appropriate to offer individual patients experimental interventions on an emergency basis outside clinical trials, provided that no proven effective treatment exists; it is not possible to initiate clinical studies immediately; the patient or his or her legal representative has given informed consent; and the emergency use of the intervention is monitored, and the results are documented and shared in a timely manner with the wider medical and scientific community.[1]
The decision to offer a patient an unproven or experimental treatment is between the doctor and the patient but must comply with national law. Where it is possible and feasible for the treatment to be given as part of a clinical trial, this should be done unless the patient declines to participate in the trial.
If it is not possible to give the treatment as part of a clinical trial, appropriate records of the use of the medicine must be kept, in compliance with national law, and outcomes for patients should be monitored and recorded.
If early results from an unproven or experimental treatment are promising, the treatment should be studied in the context of a formal clinical trial to establish its safety, efficacy, risks, and benefits.
WHO and FIFA team up on campaign to kick out coronavirus
23 March 2020
WHO and FIFA launched the “Pass the message to kick out coronavirus” campaign, led by world-renowned footballers. The campaign promotes five key steps for people to follow to protect their health in line with WHO guidance, focused on hand washing, coughing etiquette, not touching your face, physical distance and staying home if feeling unwell.
“We need teamwork to combat the coronavirus,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “FIFA has teamed up with WHO because health comes first. I call upon the football community worldwide to join us in supporting this campaign to pass
the message even further. Some of the greatest players to have played the beautiful game have put their names to the campaign and are united in their desire to pass the message to kick out COVID-19."
Twenty-eight players are involved in the video campaign, which is being published in 13 languages.
Pleased to launch "Pass the message: 5 steps to kicking out #coronavirus" campaign, together with @FIFAcom Gianni Infantino & @Alissonbecker. I thank them for their active involvement in passing the message against the pandemic since the very beginning!pic.twitter.com/ew5CmZDHD5
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) March 23, 2020
Key materials:
Video: Pass the message: Five steps to kicking out coronavirus
News release: Pass the message: Five steps to kicking out coronavirus - with social tiles
WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID-19 - 23 March 2020
WHO Health Alert for coronavirus launches on WhatsApp
20 March 2020
To increase access to reliable information, WHO worked with WhatsApp and Facebook to launch a new WHO Health Alert messaging service today. The WhatsApp-based service will provide vital information about COVID-19 to millions of people through their mobile phones. The services uses an AI chatbot to provide updated information on the pandemic, including how to protect yourself, questions and answers, and the latest news and press coverage. The Health Alert service is now available in English and will be introduced in other languages next week. This is part of WHO's wider initiative to work with technology companies to get accurate health information into the hands of people that need it at this critical time.
I am proud to announce that today we launched a new @WHO Health Alert messaging service via @WhatsApp. This service will provide the latest news & information on #COVID19, including details on symptoms and how to protect yourself. To subscribe, click here https://t.co/mUvOWlGfqC
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) March 20, 2020
Key materials:
Link to receive messages from the WHO Health Alert on WhatsApp
Young people "are not invincible"
20 March 2020
Speaking at the COVID-19 media briefing, the Director-General said:
"Although older people are the hardest hit, younger people are not spared.
Data from many countries clearly show that people under 50 make up a significant proportion of patients requiring hospitalization.
Today, I have a message for young people: you are not invincible. This virus could put you in hospital for weeks, or even kill you.
Even if you don’t get sick, the choices you make about where you go could be the difference between life and death for someone else.
I’m grateful that so many young people are spreading the word and not the virus."
Young people are not invincible from #COVID19. The #coronavirus could put you in hospital for weeks, or even kill you. Even if you don’t get sick, the choices you make about where you go could be the difference between life and death for someone else. https://t.co/fOK1OkINbK pic.twitter.com/m6LSlMgqNf
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) March 20, 2020
Key materials:
WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID-19 - 20 March 2020
#AskWHO on disability considerations during COVID-19
19 March 2020
The impact of COVID-19 is "felt by different groups in different ways".
Expert Lindsay Lee emphasises that everyone has a critical role to play to protect people with disability during the COVID-19, in her #AskWHO public Q&A session.
#AskWHO on disability considerations during #COVID19. #coronavirus https://t.co/FxWxu4NUET
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) March 19, 2020
Key materials:
Periscope recording of the #AskWHO on disability considerations during COVID-19
UN Secretary-General calls for solidarity, hope and political will
19 March 2020
The coronavirus pandemic is a crisis unlike any in the UN's 75-year history.
During his press briefing on COVID-19, UN Secretary-General António Guterres asked world leaders to come together and offer an urgent and coordinated global response.
Key materials:
YouTube recording of the press briefing
WHO Regional Office for Africa holds joint COVID-19 media briefing with World Economic Forum
19 March 2020
Speakers included Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa and WHO Country Representatives Dr Lucile Imboua-Niava (Senegal) and Dr Owen Kaluwa (South Africa).
Many questions remain about how the pandemic will evolve in Africa. Of particular concern is the potential vulnerability of the roughly 26 million people living with HIV, and the 58 million children with malnutrition on the continent.
#COVID19Africa briefing moderated by @wef earlier today. This is one of the biggest health challenges Africa has faced in a generation. Adopting approaches which are adaptable to the African context is key to containing the spread. pic.twitter.com/iPejLseLhL
— Dr Matshidiso Moeti (@MoetiTshidi) March 19, 2020
Key materials
- YouTube recording of the briefing
- World Economic Forum COVID-19 Action Platform
- AFRO News Release: More than 600 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Africa
- AFRO News Release: Rapid Response Teams are racing against the spread of COVID in Africa
Launch of SOLIDARITY trial
18 March 2020
WHO and partners are launching an international clinical trial that aims to generate robust data from around the world to find the most effective treatments for COVID-19. The SOLIDARITY trial provides simplified procedures to enable even overloaded hospitals to participate.
Research and development is an important part of our #COVID19 response @WHO https://t.co/f4odwpJc7n
— Soumya Swaminathan (@doctorsoumya) March 19, 2020
Key materials:
WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID-19 - 18 March 2020
Periscope recording of the media briefing
More than 320 000 learners enrol in online COVID-19 courses
18 March 2020
Real-time training during global emergencies is critical for effective preparedness and response.
The OpenWHO Massive Online Open Courses for COVID-19 provide learning resources for health professionals, decision-makers and the public. More than 320 000 learners have already enrolled.
As the pandemic continues to evolve, new resources will be added, additional language versions will continue to be rolled out, and existing courses will be updated to best reflect the changing context.
Courses include:
Operational Planning Guidelines to Support Country Preparedness and Response
Infection Prevention and Control
Acute Respiratory Infections (ARIs) and basic hygiene measures to protect against infection
Clinical Care Severe Acute Respiratory Infection
The Massive Online Open Course at https://t.co/aDo7E824zZ has now over 323,000 enrollments for #COVID19 courses. This platform was developed in 2017 as part of pandemic preparedness together with the “managing epidemic” handbook. https://t.co/hIC8WqjlXX
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) March 17, 2020
More information:
Managing epidemics: key facts about major deadly diseases
WHO calls for urgent, aggressive actions to combat COVID-19, as cases soar in South-East Asia Region
17 March 2020
The World Health Organization today called on Member states in South-East Asia Region to urgently scale-up aggressive measures to combat COVID-19, as confirmed cases cross 480, and the disease claims eight lives.
Key Materials
New guidance on people affected by humanitarian crises
17 March 2020
To avoid the neglect and stigmatization of individuals in groups such as asylum seekers, internally displaced people and refugees, this interim guidance outlines 'Scaling-up COVID-19 Outbreak in Readiness and Response Operations in Camps and Camp-like Settings'.
WHO jointly developed the guidance with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).
NEW: #COVID19 guidance on preparedness & response in humanitarian situations incl. in camp & camp-like settings https://t.co/OL0QpK9YEF #coronaviruspic.twitter.com/4DKDqcEpu6
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) March 20, 2020
Key materials:
- Interim Guidance on Scaling-up COVID-19 Outbreak in Readiness and Response Operations in Camps and Camp-like Settings (jointly developed by IFRC, IOM, UNHCR and WHO)
- Statement by Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, on the COVID-19 crisis
#TogetherAtHome online concert series starts
16 March 2020
Chris Martin played a mini gig at home to kick off #TogetherAtHome, a virtual no-contact concert series that aims to promote physical distancing and taking action for global health, presented by WHO and Global Citizen. More Solidarity Sessions are planned to promote health, to show support for people who are staying at home to protect themselves and others from COVID-19, and to encourage donations to the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund.
Key materials:
Instagram video of Coldplay #TogetherAtHome session
COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund
"You cannot fight a fire blindfolded."
16 March 2020
Countries should test every suspected case of COVID-19.
If people test positive, they should be isolated and the people they have been in close contact with up to 2 days before they developed symptoms should be sought out, and those people should be tested too if they show symptoms of COVID-19.
WHO also advises that all confirmed cases, even mild cases, should be isolated in health facilities, to prevent transmission and provide adequate care.
But we recognize that many countries have already exceeded their capacity to care for mild cases in dedicated health facilities.
In that situation, countries should prioritize older patients and those with underlying conditions.
"We have a simple message for all countries:
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) March 16, 2020
test
test
test.
Test every suspected #COVID19 case.
If they test positive, isolate them & find out who they have been in close contact with up to 2 days before they developed symptoms & test those people too"-@DrTedros #coronavirus
Key materials:
WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID-19 - 16 March 2020
Full video of Press Conference - 16 March 2020
WHO Mission to Iraq covers detection and response
15 March 2020
The mission, which comprised experts from the Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office and from WHO headquarters in Geneva, held a series of meetings with national health authorities to identify the disease detection dynamics and at-risk populations, in
addition to providing guidance on strengthening response and control measures.
The mission also reviewed the Ministry’s overall readiness to deal with a potential increase in case reporting and the priority of establishing an Emergency Operation Centre to speed up action now that the disease has been announced as a global pandemic.
Head of @WHOEMRO team of experts Dr. Rana Hajja held a joint press conference with the MOH minister tdy. Dr Hajjih stressed the collective responsibility for containing the spread of the virus by protecting ourselves, families, and the community. https://t.co/RrGD7p0JDt pic.twitter.com/V46gyRySd2
— WHO Iraq (@WHOIraq) March 12, 2020
Key materials:
Video clip from MOH and mission press conference
Launch of #SafeHands Challenge
13 March 2020
WHO launched the #SafeHands Challenge to promote the power of clean hands fo fight the coronavirus.
To support the challenge to encourage people to clean their hands with soap or alcohol-based hand rub, Twitter created a new #HandWashing emoji.
Heads of State, footballers, singers and more have already taken part, with more people nominated to join the challenge every day.
There are several measures you can take to protect yourself from #COVID19. One of the most important ones is regular & safe hand hygiene. Here are the steps recommended by @WHO 👇
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) March 13, 2020
Show the 🌍 where and how you wash your hands. Join the WHO #SafeHands challenge! pic.twitter.com/5ElZyiyZun
Europe becomes epicenter of the pandemic
13 March 2020
Europe now has more reported cases and deaths than the rest of the world combined, apart from China.
More cases are now being reported every day than were reported in China at the height of its epidemic.
5,000 people have lost their lives to #COVID19 - this is a tragic milestone.
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) March 14, 2020
Europe has now become the epicenter of the pandemic, with more reported cases and deaths than the rest of the world combined, apart from China. https://t.co/ryTAmB9ZnI
Key materials:
WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID-19 - 13 March 2020
Periscope reading of press briefing
Updated clinical guidance
13 March 2020
Updated #COVID19 clinical guidance covers:
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) March 15, 2020
🔹Early case recognition
🔹Guidance for care of children, pregnant women, adults & older people
🔹Managing cases
🔹Infection prevention & control
🔹Sample collection & an update on investigational therapeutics
👉https://t.co/ZVaiu2C19V pic.twitter.com/yyOzIbtbEO
Key materials
WHO, UN Foundation and partners launch first-of-its-kind COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund
13 March 2020
A new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Solidarity Response Fund will raise money from a wide range of donors to support the work of the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners to help countries respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund, the first-of-its-kind, enables private individuals, corporations and institutions anywhere in the world to come together to directly contribute to global response efforts, and has been created by the United Nations Foundation and the Swiss Philanthropy Foundation, together with WHO.
WHO, @unfoundation and partners launch first-of-its-kind #COVID19 Solidarity Response Fund.
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) March 13, 2020
More https://t.co/WV9i5bp2LP#coronavirus pic.twitter.com/seT4gLQKd7
Key Materials:
The COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund
Audio file of press conference - 13 March
WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID-19 - 13 March 2020
Expert mission to Iran concludes
12 March 2020
A five-day expert mission to Iran with experts from WHO, GOARN partners, Robert Koch Institute in Berlin and the Chinese Center for Disease Control has concluded.
“Everybody in the country is engaged in this response. The right and timely public health measures implemented on [an] adequate scale will make a difference,” said Dr Richard Brennan, WHO Regional Emergency Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Region and mission team lead.
Looking forward, Dr Brennan said more work needs to be done to protect health workers. The mission also held constructive discussions on ways to advance epidemiological data collection and analysis.
.@WHO mission to IR #Iran was impressed w/ sanitariums set up to receive recovering #COVID19 patients & mild cases, when needed. The team has shared recommendations on case management, epidemiological analysis, infection prevention/control & monitoring the overall response. pic.twitter.com/NH51rsQfyb
— WHO EMRO (@WHOEMRO) March 10, 2020
Key materials:
Azerbaijan welcomes WHO mission
12 March 2020
During its 5-day mission, a team of WHO experts worked with the national response committee on developing a national preparedness and response plan for COVID-19.
The Government of Azerbaijan is contributing to global efforts to address COVID-19, coordinating with neighbouring countries, and has pledged US$ 5 million to WHO’s strategic preparedness and response plan.
Key materials:
WHO characterizes COVID-19 as a pandemic
11 March 2020
Speaking at the COVID-19 media briefing, the WHO Director-General said:
"WHO has been assessing this outbreak around the clock and we are deeply concerned both by the alarming levels of spread and severity, and by the alarming levels of inaction.
We have therefore made the assessment that COVID-19 can be characterized as a pandemic.
Pandemic is not a word to use lightly or carelessly. It is a word that, if misused, can cause unreasonable fear, or unjustified acceptance that the fight is over, leading to unnecessary suffering and death.
Describing the situation as a pandemic does not change WHO’s assessment of the threat posed by this virus. It doesn’t change what WHO is doing, and it doesn’t change what countries should do.
We have never before seen a pandemic sparked by a coronavirus. This is the first pandemic caused by a coronavirus.
And we have never before seen a pandemic that can be controlled, at the same time."
🚨 BREAKING 🚨
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) March 11, 2020
"We have therefore made the assessment that #COVID19 can be characterized as a pandemic"-@DrTedros #coronavirus pic.twitter.com/JqdsM2051A
Key materials:
WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID-19 - 11 March 2020
WHO issues schools guidance with UNICEF and IFRC
10 March 2020
WHO, UNICEF and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) outline critical considerations and practical checklists to keep schools safe, with helpful tips for parents and caregivers, as well as children and students themselves.
In coordination with @WHO and @ifrc, we’ve issued guidance for schools, teachers, parents and caregivers for the prevention and control of #COVID19. #coronavirushttps://t.co/LjvoLV0Dy4
— Henrietta H. Fore (@unicefchief) March 10, 2020
Key materials
Guidance: Key Messages and Actions for COVID-19 Prevention and Control in Schools
Mental health and COVID-19
10 March 2020
WHO is providing guidance to help people manage fear, stigma and discrimination during COVID-19.
In the #AskWHO film below, expert Aiysha Malik answers public questions about mental health and preventing stress during the outbreak.
#AskWHO on mental health during #COVID19. Ask your questions to our expert Aiysha Malik. https://t.co/7iUsK6sSE1
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) March 10, 2020
Key materials
Guidance: Mental Health Considerations during COVID-19 Outbreak
“The rule of the game is: never give up.”
9 March 2020
“We are not at the mercy of this virus,” said the WHO Director-General at the 9 March media briefing.
All countries must aim to stop transmission and prevent the spread of COVID-19, whether they face no cases, sporadic cases, clusters or community transmission.
“Let hope be the antidote to fear.
Let solidarity be the antidote to blame.
Let our shared humanity be the antidote to our shared threat"
"Now that the #coronavirus has a foothold in so many countries, the threat of a pandemic has become very real.
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) March 9, 2020
But it would be the first pandemic in history that could be controlled.
The bottom line is: we are not at the mercy of this virus"-@DrTedros #COVID19
Key materials:
WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID-19 - 9 March 2020
Periscope recording of the press conference
Interim guidance on critical preparedness, readiness and response actions
8 March 2020
Drawing on existing materials, this guidance describes the preparedness, readiness and response actions for four different transmission scenarios:
1. No cases
2. Sporadic cases: 1 or more cases, imported or locally detected
3. Clusters of cases in time, geographic location and/or common exposure
4. Community transmission: larger outbreaks of local transmission
Every country should urgently take all necessary measures to slow further spread and to protect health systems from becoming overwhelmed with patients seriously ill with #COVID19 https://t.co/4QQ7VcQPe4#coronavirus pic.twitter.com/mO1gBIzVGz
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) March 7, 2020
Key materials
Marking 100 000 cases
7 March 2020
Marking this sombre moment, WHO reminded all countries and communities that the spread of this virus can be significantly slowed or even reversed through the implementation of robust containment and control activities.
Every effort to contain the virus and slow the spread saves lives. These efforts give health systems and all of society much needed time to prepare, and researchers more time to identify effective treatments and develop vaccines.
Allowing uncontrolled spread should not be a choice of any government, as it will harm not only the citizens of that country but affect other countries as well.
We must stop, contain, control, delay and reduce the impact of this virus at every opportunity. Every person has the capacity to contribute, to protect themselves, to protect others, whether in the home, the community, the healthcare system, the workplace or the transport system.
Today for the first time 100 countries are reporting #COVID19 cases. This comes after the 🌍 reached 100,000 cases yesterday. While very serious, this should not discourage us. There are many things everyone, everywhere can and should do now. #coronavirushttps://t.co/7olb7FXEZ7
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) March 8, 2020
Key materials
WHO publishes draft R&D blueprint draft for COVID-19
6 March 2020
"Research—implemented as policy and practice—can save lives and needs to be integrated into the response from the start."
The R&D roadmap for COVID-19 outlines research priorities in 9 key areas. These include the natural history of the virus, epidemiology, diagnostics, clinical management, ethical considerations and social sciences, as well as longer-term goals for therapeutics and vaccines.
The @WHO @rd_blueprint draft is on our website. Was developed by a global network of scientists and outlines knowledge gaps and key research priorities for #COVIDー19 https://t.co/rfni25Yg22
— Soumya Swaminathan (@doctorsoumya) March 7, 2020
Key materials
- A coordinated Global Research Roadmap
- R&D Blueprint page for COVID-19
- WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID-19 - 6 March 2020
Launch of Be Ready campaign
5 March 2020
WHO launches a new social media campaign called Be Ready for COVID-19, which urges people to be safe, smart and kind.
'Be Ready' was launched because everyone can prepare for COVID-19, including individuals, governments and businesses.
We're calling on people to Be Safe by remembering tried & tested public health measures, like regular hand washing & staying at least 1 metre (3 feet) from anyone coughing or sneezing. These ordinary measures are extraordinarily effective at fighting COVID-19.
We're asking people to Be Smart about COVID-19 by rejecting rumours & taking care to only share information from trusted sources. Everyone should keep informed about what is happening in their area and follow the recommendations of local authorities.
We're reminding people to Be Kind through addressing stigma and looking out for one another - especially the most vulnerable and those in isolation. Compassion can combat #COVID19.
Below is a tweet from footballer Paul Pogba getting involved with the campaign.
#Dab to beat #coronavirus. Follow @WHO advice to Be Ready for #COVID19 https://t.co/Ej0FqcHbj5 pic.twitter.com/4DhQ7NsZYk
— Paul Pogba (@paulpogba) March 13, 2020
Key materials:
WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID-19 - 5 March 2020
“The whole government should be involved”
5 March 2020
Speaking at the COVID-19 media briefing, the Director-General emphasized that the COVID-19 epidemic “can be pushed back, but only with a collective coordinated and comprehensive approach that engages the entire machinery of government.”
Leadership from the top: We call on country leaders to mobilize their plans, coordinating every part of government, not just the health ministry – security, diplomacy, finance, commerce, transport, trade, information and more – the whole government should be involved. #COVID19
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) March 5, 2020
“This is unprecedented"
4 March 2020
Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO's technical lead for COVID-19, outlines the wealth of knowledge generated about this new disease in just eight weeks.
We are eight weeks into this #COVID19 outbreak: yet we have identified the virus, we have the genetic sequence, PCR & serological assay in use. This wealth of knowledge is unprecedented for a new disease.#coronavirus pic.twitter.com/dNAlepnEek
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) March 5, 2020
Shortage of personal protective equipment endangering health workers worldwide
3 Mar 2020
WHO has shipped nearly half a million sets of personal protective equipment to 47 countries, but the global supply is rapidly depleting.
Shortages are leaving doctors, nurses and other frontline workers dangerously ill-equipped to care for COVID-19 patients, due to limited access to supplies such as gloves, medical masks, respirators, goggles, face shields, gowns, and aprons.
To meet rising global demand, WHO estimates that industry must increase manufacturing by 40 per cent.
“There’s no choice but to act now”
2 March 2020
Speaking at the COVID-19 media briefing, the Director-General emphasized that the virus is capable of community transmission but can be contained with the right measures.
Our message to all countries is: this is not one-way street. We can push this #coronavirus back.
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) March 2, 2020
Your actions now will determine the course of the #COVID19 outbreak in your country.
There’s no choice but to act now. pic.twitter.com/osNPVas2Tr
Key materials:
Mission of WHO experts arrive in Iran
2 March 2020
Landing in Tehran, the experts aim to identify transmission dynamics and at-risk populations, as well as provide guidance on strengthening and scaling up the response and readiness efforts.
The mission arrived along with a shipment containing medical supplies and protective equipment to support over 15,000 health care workers and enough laboratory kits to test and diagnose nearly 100,000 people.
The mission will build on the COVID-19 preparedness and response work already underway by WHO's country office in the Islamic Republic of Iran.
A team of @WHO experts has landed in Tehran, IR #Iran to work w/ health & other authorities to review/support the ongoing response to #COVID19 outbreak in 🇮🇷. The plane carrying the team also contained a shipment of medical supplies & protective equipment➡️https://t.co/Kb8Hug4lNd pic.twitter.com/zRBS0pfpqc
— WHO EMRO (@WHOEMRO) March 2, 2020
Key materials:
UN releases US$15 million for COVID-19 response
1 March 2020
UN Humanitarian Chief Mark Lowcock released US$15 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to WHO and UNICEF to help fund global efforts to contain the COVID-19 virus.
This grant will help countries with fragile health systems boost their detection and response operations. It will fund essential activities including monitoring the spread of the virus, investigating cases, and the operation of national laboratories.
$15 million has just been released from @UNCERF to help fund global efforts to contain the #coronavirius.
— UN Humanitarian (@UNOCHA) March 1, 2020
The funds will help countries with fragile health systems boost their detection and response operations.#COVID19 https://t.co/J4qWgZVG9R
Key materials:
What every individual can do to protect themselves and others
28 February 2020
In a daily COVID-19 press briefing the WHO Director-General said that more than 20 vaccines are in development globally, and several therapeutics are in clinical trials. But we don’t need to wait for vaccines and therapeutics. There are things every individual can do to protect themselves and others today.
"There are 10 basic things that you should know.
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) February 28, 2020
1⃣clean your 👐 regularly with an alcohol-based hand rub, or wash them with 🧼 & 💧.
Touching your face after touching contaminated surfaces or sick people is one of the ways the #coronavirus can be transmitted"-@DrTedros pic.twitter.com/Ty8J0zoGKS
Key materials
What every country should be asking itself
27 February 2020
Discussing preparedness for COVID-19, the WHO Director-General listed questions every health minister should be able to answer. Here are a selection:
- Are we ready for the first case?
- Do we have enough medical oxygen, ventilators and other vital equipment?
- How will we know if there are cases in other areas of the country?
- Do our health workers have the training and equipment they need to stay safe?
- Do we have the right measures at airports and border crossings to test people who are sick?
- Do our labs have the right chemicals that allow them to test samples?
- Are we ready to treat patients with severe or critical disease?
- Do our hospitals and clinics have the right procedures to prevent and control infections?
- Do our people have the right information? Do they know what the disease looks like?
Daily media briefing on #COVID19 with @DrTedros #coronavirus https://t.co/0MwL15ofKt
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) February 27, 2020
Key materials:
Get your workplace ready for COVID-19
26 February 2020
WHO has issued new COVID-19 guidance for businesses and employers, which outlines simple ways to prevent the spread of the virus, things to consider when employees travel and how to get your business ready in case COVID-19 arrives in your community.
Key materials:
#AskWHO about COVID-19
26 February 2020
Watch Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO's technical lead on the new coronavirus, answer questions from the public about COVID-19. She begins by explaining how the virus spreads and how to protect yourself from COVID-19. Dr Van Kerkhove was a member of the recent joint mission of experts to China to learn more about the outbreak.
LIVE #AskWHO on #COVID19 with @mvankerkhove #coronavirus https://t.co/ZxbbOq5hLE
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) February 26, 2020
Key materials:
Do your part to stop stigma and combat COVID-19
25 February 2020
The WHO Director-General has repeatedly called for "solidarity, not stigma" to address COVID-19.
WHO has worked with UNICEF and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies on a guide to preventing and addressing the social stigma associated with the disease.
It's vital to fight stigma because it can drive people to hide the illness, not seek health care immediately and discourage them from adopting healthy behaviours.
This guide includes some tips and messages, as well as dos and don'ts on language when talking about COVID-19.
Given that #COVID19 is a new disease, it is understandable that its emergence and spread cause confusion, anxiety and fear among the general public. These factors can give rise to harmful stereotypes.https://t.co/7kH9y0NViC #coronavirus pic.twitter.com/5CQK2OSNih
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) February 25, 2020
Key materials:
WHO-China joint mission shares findings and recommendations
25 February 2020
The team of 25 international and Chinese experts travelled to several different provinces, with a small group going to Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak.
Among the team's findings was that the epidemic peaked and plateaued between the 23rd of January and the 2nd of February, and has been declining steadily since then. The team also estimates that the measures taken in China have averted a significant number
of cases.
In a press conference in Geneva on Tuesday 25 February, Dr Bruce Aylward, the mission's lead, reported back on what China has done, its impact and implications.
Key materials:
WHO-led team of experts travel to Italy
24 February 2020
A team of experts from WHO and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) will focus on: understanding how events developed, learning from the Italian experience and supporting control and prevention efforts by the authorities.
To limit further human to human transmission, WHO experts will provide support in the areas of clinical management, infection prevention and control, surveillance and risk communication.
Joint team of @WHO_Europe and #ECDC is set and ready to help @MinisteroSalute on the ground with ✅ clinical management ✅ infection control ✅ surveillance ✅ risk communication. Top priority to understand and retain #Covid_19 transmission.
— Hans Kluge (@hans_kluge) February 23, 2020
Key materials:
UN Secretary-General visits WHO
24 February 2020
UN Secretary-General António Guterres met with the WHO Director-General and other WHO leaders, receiving a briefing on COVID-19, Ebola and polio. He expressed great admiration for health workers, including in China, who are working tirelessly to save lives. The UN Secretary-General also stressed that there is no space for stigma and discrimination and said we must be guided by science and human rights-based interventions.
As our @WHO colleagues continue their relentless work in response to the #coronavirus outbreak, I urge people worldwide to continue following their advice.
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) February 24, 2020
We need to rely on science and facts, not stigma and discrimination to get through this #COVID19 outbreak. pic.twitter.com/BDgMSA7C4i
"My strong appeal to all countries is to assume their responsibilities and to know that they can fully count on the @WHO to support them in that effort," -- UN Secretary-General visits the World Health Organization, meets with @DrTedros, discusses #COVID19 outbreak. pic.twitter.com/gHghffgvLi
— UN Geneva (@UNGeneva) February 24, 2020
WHO leaders address AU and Africa CDC Emergency Meeting
22 February 2020
WHO’s Director-General and Regional Director for Africa addressed an emergency meeting of ministers of health to agree on a continental strategy for Africa to strengthen preparedness and responses to the COVID-19 outbreak.
It’s great to see African leadership in action. Today’s meeting on #coronavirus convened by the @_AfricanUnion and attended by @WHO and partners is a powerful demonstration of collective political commitment to tackling #coronavirus pic.twitter.com/crsYAZlC1F
— Dr Matshidiso Moeti (@MoetiTshidi) February 22, 2020
11 000 African health care workers have been trained on COVID-19
22 February 2020
During the past month about 11 000 African health workers have been trained using WHO’s online courses on COVID-19, which are available free of charge in English, French & other languages.
"During the past month about 11,000 African #healthworkers have been trained using WHO’s online courses on #COVID19, which are available free of charge in English, French & other languages at https://t.co/RjHSBkVjlH"-@DrTedros #coronavirus
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) February 22, 2020
Special envoys on COVID-19 selected
21 February 2020
The WHO Director-General appointed six special envoys on COVID-19, to provide strategic advice and high-level political advocacy and engagement in different parts of the world.
The six envoys are:
- Professor Dr Maha El Rabbat, former Minister of Health of Egypt;
- Dr David Nabarro, former special adviser to the United Nations Secretary-General on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Climate Change;
- Dr John Nkengasong, Director of the African Centres for Disease Control and Prevention;
- Dr Mirta Roses, former Director of the WHO Region of the Americas;
- Dr Shin Young-soo, former Regional Director of the WHO Region of the Western Pacific;
- Professor Samba Sow, Director-General of the Center for Vaccine Development in Mali.
To reinforce political advocacy on #COVID19 around the globe, @WHO named 6 global envoys. Africa is ably represented by Dr @JNkengasong, director of @AfricaCDC, Dr Samba Sow, DG of the Centre for Vaccine Development in #Mali +Prof Maha El Rabbat, former Health Min of #Egypt. pic.twitter.com/ImyED8YLmz
— Moussa Faki Mahamat (@AUC_MoussaFaki) February 22, 2020
I am pleased to be appointed as one of the @WHO Special Envoys for the global #COVID19 response. Thank you for the opportunity. I will contribute as best I can to the collective response effort. https://t.co/XdpqYAld4g
— Dr David Nabarro (@davidnabarro) February 22, 2020
Key materials:
WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the 21 February 2020 media briefing
WHO Director-General warns that the window of opportunity is “narrowing”
21 February 2020
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasised that the window of opportunity to contain the outbreak is “narrowing” and that the international community needs to act quickly, including through financing.
Countries with weaker health systems need the 🌍's focus & support now, due to the potential for #COVID19 to spread to those locations.
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) February 21, 2020
We must take advantage of the window of opportunity we have to contain the outbreak. We don't want to look back later & regret failing to act.
WHO issues guidance on mass gathering and taking care of ill travellers
17 February 2020
Based on lessons from H1N1 and Ebola, WHO has outlined planning considerations for organizers of mass gatherings, in light of the COVID-19 outbreak. It has also issued advice on how to detect and take care of ill travellers, who are suspected COVID-19 cases.
Interim guidance:
WHO Director-General calls for solidarity at Munich Security Conference
15 February 2020
"We must be guided by solidarity, not stigma. The greatest enemy we face is not the virus itself; it’s the stigma that turns us against each other. We must stop stigma and hate."
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called on the international community to use the window of opportunity to prepare for COVID-19 at the Munich Security Conference, a leading global forum on preeminent crises and future security challenges.
"We are encouraged that the steps #China has taken to contain the outbreak at its source appear to have bought the world time – even though those steps have come at greater cost to China itself," says @DrTedros in his update on #COVID19 at #MSC2020. @WHO #coronavirus pic.twitter.com/tThddMnxkj
— Munich Security Conference (@MunSecConf) February 15, 2020
Key materials:
UN activates WHO-led Crisis Management Team
12 February 2020
The Crisis Management Team (CMT) mechanism brings together WHO, OCHA, IMO, UNICEF, ICAO, WFP, FAO, the World Bank and several UN Secretariat departments.
The CMT will be managed by the Executive Director of WHO Health Emergencies Programme, Dr Mike Ryan. It will help WHO focus on the health response while the other agencies will bring their expertise to bear on the wider social, economic and developmental implications of the outbreak.
Key materials:
Research and innovation forum sets priorities for COVID-19 research
12 February 2020
More than 400 experts and funders met at WHO’s Geneva HQ to accelerate research to stop the COVID-19 outbreak. Featuring updates from the frontlines of the response in China, the meeting addressed issues such as: developing easy-to-apply diagnostics, accelerating existing vaccine candidates and preventing infection.
Key materials:
Novel coronavirus disease named COVID-19
11 February 2020
Guidelines mandated that the name of the disease could not refer to a geographical location, an animal, an individual or group of people. It also needed to relate to the disease and be pronounceable. This choice will help guard against the use of other names that might be inaccurate or stigmatizing.
🚨 BREAKING 🚨
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) February 11, 2020
"We now have a name for the #2019nCoV disease:
COVID-19.
I’ll spell it: C-O-V-I-D hyphen one nine – COVID-19"
-@DrTedros #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/Kh0wx2qfzk
Global community asks for US$675 million to help protect vulnerable countries from outbreak
5 February 2020
With the 2019-nCoV outbreak set to test the resilience of countries, the US$675 million Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan (SPRP) aims to protect states with weaker health systems.
Covering areas ranging from international coordination to country readiness to research and innovation, the SPRP aims to limit transmission, provide early care, communicate key information and minimize social and economic impacts.
Key materials:
Public Health Emergency of International Concern declared
30 January 2020
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared the 2019-nCoV outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, following a second meeting of the Emergency Committee convened under the International Health Regulations.
Acknowledging that cases have been reported in five WHO regions in one month, the Committee noted that early detection, isolating and treating cases, contact tracing and social distancing measures – in line with the level of risk – can all work to interrupt virus spread.
Key materials:
WHO and China leaders meet in Beijing to discuss coronavirus outbreak
28 January 2020
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus met with China's President Xi Jinping in Beijing about the coronavirus outbreak.
Dr Tedros was joined by WHO Regional Director Dr Takeshi Kasai and Executive Director of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme Dr Mike Ryan, and also met State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi and Minister of Health Ma Xiaowei.
The discussions focused on continued collaboration on containment measures in Wuhan, public health measures in other cities and provinces, conducting further studies on the severity and transmissibility of the virus, continuing to share data, and for
China to share biological material with WHO. These measures will advance scientific understanding of the virus and contribute to the development of medical countermeasures such as vaccines and treatments.
The two sides agreed that WHO would send international experts to visit China as soon as possible to work with Chinese counterparts on increasing understanding of the outbreak to guide global response efforts.
Stopping the spread of the new #coronavirus both in #China and globally is @WHO’s highest priority. We are working closely with the 🇨🇳 government on measures to understand the virus and limit transmission. https://t.co/WGadkXEpP5
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) January 28, 2020
Key materials:
Launch of free online introductory course on the novel coronavirus
25 January 2020
Covering topics such as why the novel coronavirus is a global threat to human health and how to effectively engage communities in the response, this free online course gives an introduction to the novel coronavirus. It is available for free and online in English, French, Spanish and Chinese.
WHO_nCoV_Introductory Video from openWHO on Vimeo
Key materials:
OpenWHO course: Emerging respiratory viruses, including nCoV: methods for detection, prevention, response and control
First meeting of Emergency Committee regarding the novel coronavirus outbreak
23 January 2020
On 22-23 February, the WHO Director General convened the Emergency Committee to consider the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in China, with cases also reported in the Republic of Korea, Japan, Thailand and Singapore.
Several Committee members considered it still too early to declare a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), given its restrictive and binary nature. Among other recommendations, the Committee advised that it be recalled in approximately 10 days.
Key materials:
Statement on the first meeting of the International Health Regulations (2005) Emergency Committee
WHO makes field visit to Wuhan, China
21 January 2020
The delegation observed and discussed active surveillance processes, temperature screening at Wuhan Tianhe airport, laboratory facilities, infection prevention and control measures at Zhongnan hospital and its associated fever clinics, and the deployment of a test kit to detect the virus.
The delegation also discussed public communication efforts and China's plan to expand the case definition for the novel coronavirus, which will build a clearer picture of the spectrum of severity of the virus.
At the end of the visit, the Chinese Government released the primers and probes used in the test kit for the novel coronavirus to help other countries detect it. Chinese experts also shared a range of protocols that will be used in developing international guidelines, including case definitions, clinical management protocols and infection control.
Key materials:
First case of novel coronavirus outside of China confirmed
13 January 2020
Officials confirmed a case of the novel coronavirus in Thailand. It was not unexpected that cases of the novel coronavirus would emerge outside of China and reinforces why WHO calls for active monitoring and preparedness in other countries.
On 13 January 2020, the 🇹🇭#Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health @pr_moph reported the first imported case of lab-confirmed novel #coronavirus (2019-nCoV) from #Wuhan, #China🇨🇳 https://t.co/Wr6VZTnCj2 pic.twitter.com/U7Njua8gvr
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) January 14, 2020
Key materials:
China makes genome sequencing of novel coronavirus publicly available
12 January 2020
China shares the genetic sequence of the novel coronavirus, which will be very important for other countries as they develop specific diagnostic kits.
Whole genome sequences for the novel #coronavirus (2019-nCoV) from the Chinese🇨🇳 authorities were shared with WHO and have also been submitted by Chinese authorities to the GISAID platform so that they can be accessed by public health authorities, laboratories and researchers. pic.twitter.com/wmtGfI4dWl
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) January 11, 2020
Key materials:
WHO issues its first guidance on the novel coronavirus
10 January 2020
Developed with reference to other coronaviruses, such as SARS and MERS, WHO issued a tool for countries to check their ability to detect and respond to a novel coronavirus.
This information is to help with identifying main gaps, assessing risks and planning for additional investigations, response and control actions.
Key materials:
WHO reports on pneumonia of unknown cause in China
5 January 2020
WHO published its risk assessment and advice and reported on the status of patients and the public health response by national authorities to the cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan.
Key materials:
WHO responding to a cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan
4 January 2020
WHO announced it would work across its 3 levels – country office, regional office and HQ – to track the situation and share details as they emerged.
#China has reported to WHO a cluster of #pneumonia cases —with no deaths— in Wuhan, Hubei Province 🇨🇳 . Investigations are underway to identify the cause of this illness.
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) January 4, 2020
Pneumonia of unknown cause reported to WHO China Office
31 December 2019
At the close of 2019, the WHO China Country Office was informed of a pneumonia of unknown cause, detected in the city of Wuhan in Hubei province, China. According to the authorities, some patients were operating dealers or vendors in the Huanan Seafood
market.
Staying in close contact with national authorities, WHO began monitoring the situation and requested further information on the laboratory tests performed and the different diagnoses considered.
Key materials:
Disease outbreak news item