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IPC Guidance Materials
WHO released three key
Infection Protection and Control (IPC) interim guidance materials on IPC measures during health care and home
care in addition to advice on the use of masks in various settings. -
Diamond Princess
All crew and passengers were quarantined for a 14-day period and asked to remain in their cabins and wearing masks when leaving their cabins. As of February 8th, 64 people were found to be infected; confirmed cases were admitted for medical care in the Yokohama area (where the cruise is harbored). -
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2019-nCoV Assembly
A global research and innovation forum to mobilize international action and enable identification of key knowledge gaps and research priorities to contribute to the control of the 2019-nCoV will be convened by the WHO. Members of the scientific community, researches from Member States' public health agencies, regulatory experts, bioethicists with expertise in research in emergencies, and major funder of research related to 2019-nCoV will be present at the forum. -
Travelers' Guide
The WHO published key considerations addressing COVID-19 for repatriation and quarantine for travelers. -
Activation of the CMT
The UN activated a Crisis Management Team (CMT) on the COVID-19 outbreak, to be led by WHO. The CMT brings together WHO, OCHA, IMO, UNICEF, ICAO, WFP, FAO, the World Bank, and several departments of the UN Secretariat. -
Database Creation
The WHO developed a database with the purpose of collecting the latest scientific findings and knowledge on COVID-19. -
First Case in Egypt
Egypt reports its first case of COVID-19 (First case in Africa) -
WHO Guidance Documents
The WHO developed and released guidance documents for the management of public health events at Points of Entry and mass gatherings. -
WHO Online Courses
Online courses regarding COVID-19 have been added to the OpenWHO platform, with a general introduction to emerging respiratory viruses, which includes novel coronaviruses (available in French, Simplified Chinese, and Spanish as well), Critical Care of Severe Acute Respiratory Infections, and Health and safety briefing for respiratory diseases - ePROTECT. -
First Cases in Iran
The Islamic Republic of Iran reported cases of COVID-19. -
Persistence in Foods and Food Safety
Through the International Food Safety Authorities Network (INFOSAN), national food safety authorities are on the lookout for more information regarding the persistence of the SARS-CoV-2 in internationally traded foods and general information regarding the transmissibility of the virus in foods. -
First Case in Israel
Israel reports its first case of COVID-19. -
First Case in Lebanon
Lebanon reports its first case of COVID-19. -
First Case in Kuwait
Kuwait reports its first case of COVID-19. -
Support for Italy
A joint mission (the WHO and the ECDC) arrived in Italy to support its authorities in regard to COVID-19. -
First Case in Afghanistan
Afghanistan reports its first case of COVID-19. -
First Cases in Bahrain
Bahrain reports its first case of COVID-19. -
First Cases in Oman
Oman reports its first cases of COVID-19. -
First Case in Iraq
Iraq reports its first case of COVID-19 -
First Cases in Algeria, Austria, Croatia, and Switzerland
Algeria, Austria, Croatia, and Switzerland report their first cases of COVID-19. -
Brazil, Denmark, Estonia, First Cases in Georgia, Greece, Norway, Pakistan, Romania, and North Macedonia
Brazil, Denmark, Estonia, Georgia, Greece, Norway,
Pakistan, Romania, and North Macedonia report their first cases of COVID-19 -
International Network of Expert Laboratories
Efforts were made to develop a WHO network of 15 international COVID-19 reference laboratories with expertise in the molecular detection of coronaviruses. -
First Cases in Belarus, Lithuania, Netherlands, New Zealand, and Nigeria
Belarus, Lithuania, Netherlands, New Zealand, and Nigeria report their first cases of COVID-19 -
WHO-China Findings Published
The WHO-China joint mission which set out to learn more about COVID-19 published its findings. -
First Cases in Mexico
Mexico reports its first cases of COVID-19. -
First Case in San Marino
San Marino reports its first case of COVID-19. -
First cases in Azerbaijan, Ecuador, Ireland, Monaco, and Qatar
Azerbaijan, Ecuador, Ireland, Monaco, and Qatar report their first cases of COVID-19. -
WHO Information Advancements
The WHO published interim clinical guidance, clinical training materials, and has launched a global clinical data platform to gather data and improve medical care for patients of COVID-19. -
First Cases in Armenia, Czechia, Dominican Republic, Luxembourg, Iceland, and Indonesia
Armenia, Czechia, Dominican Republic, Luxembourg,
Iceland, and Indonesia report their first cases of COVID-19. -
Support for Iran
A team of WHO experts arrived in Iran with the goal of, in response to COVID-19, identifying transmission dynamics and at-risk populations and providing technical guidance -
First Cases in Andorra, Jordan, Latvia, Morocco, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, and Tunisia
Andorra, Jordan, Latvia, Morocco, Portugal, Saudi
Arabia, Senegal, and Tunisia report their first cases of COVID-19. -
Support for Barbados and more
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is implementing a comprehensive plan to support country preparedness and containment efforts for COVID-19 with Barbados being one of the first Caribbean countries to acquire test kits and reagents for COVID-19 detection alongside training on how to use them. -
First Cases in Argentina, Chile, Poland and Ukraine
Argentina, Chile, Poland, and Ukraine report their first cases of COVID-19. -
EUL Open to Candidate IVD Lab Tests
The WHO Prequalification Team announced that the Emergency Use Listing(EUL) is now open to candidate in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) laboratory tests to detect the COVID-19 virus. The EUL procedure is developed to expedite the availability of IVDs needed in public health emergency situations. -
First Cases in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Gibraltar, Hungary, Slovenia, and occupied Palestinian territory
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Gibraltar, Hungary, Slovenia, and occupied Palestinian territory report their first cases of COVID-19. -
First Cases in Bhutan, Cameroon, Serbia, and South Africa
Bhutan, Cameroon, Serbia, and South Africa report their first cases of COVID-19. -
First Cases in Colombia, Holy See, Peru, and Togo
Colombia, Holy See, Peru, and Togo report their first cases of COVID-19. -
First Cases in Bulgaria, Costa Rica, Faroe Islands, French Guiana, Maldives, Malta, Martinique, and the Republic of Moldova
Bulgaria, Costa Rica, Faroe Islands, French Guiana, Maldives, Malta, Martinique, and the Republic of Moldova report their first cases of COVID-19 -
WHO OSL Supports COVID-19 Responses
WHO Operations Supply and Logistics (OSL) continues to support COVID-19 emergency operations by providing preventative supplies and medical equipment. Since the beginning of the outbreak, OSL have shipped more than 584,000 surgical masks, 47,000 N95 masks, 620,000 gloves, 72,000 gowns, and 11,000 goggles to 57 countries. -
First Cases in Bangladesh, Albania, and Paraguay
Bangladesh, Albania, and Paraguay report their first cases of COVID-19. -
Support for Samoa and Tokelau
WHO continues to support Samoa and Tokelau by providing infrared thermometers to assist with screening at ports of entry and healthcare facilities. They also received personal protective equipment (PPE) including medical masks, gloves, and surgical gowns for doctors, nurses, and patients to prevent the spread of COVID-19. -
First Cases in Brunei Darussalam, Mongolia, Cyprus, Guernsey and Panama
Brunei Darussalam, Mongolia, Cyprus,
Guernsey, and Panama report their first cases of COVID-19. -
Guidance for Environments with Children
The IFRC, UNICEF, and WHO issued new guidance to help protect children and schools from the transmission of the COVID-19 virus. -
First Cases in Bolivia, Jamaica, Burkina Faso, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Bolivia, Jamaica, Burkina Faso, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo -
First Cases in French Polynesia, Turkey, Honduras, and Côte d’Ivoire
French Polynesia, Turkey, Honduras, and
Côte d’Ivoire report their first cases of COVID-19. -
First Cases in Jersey, Réunion, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Cuba, and Guyana
Jersey, Réunion, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Cuba, and Guyana report their first cases of COVID-19 -
IPC Assembly
The WHO convened a WHO Health Emergencies Programme Experts Advisory Panel for Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) to ensure evidence-based quality guidance and prompt response to global demand. -
First cases in 12 New Countries/Territories/Areas
12 New Countries/Territories/Areas report their first cases of COVID-19. -
First Cases in 9 New Countries/Territories/Areas (African Region [7], European Region [1] and Region of Americas [1])
Nine new countries/territories/areas (African Region [7], European Region [1] and Region of Americas [1]) report their first cases of COVID-19 -
First Cases in Four New Countries/Territories/Areas (African Region [2], European Region [1] and Region of the Americas [1])
Four new countries/territories/areas (African Region [2], European Region [1] and Region of the Americas [1]) report their first cases of COVID-19 -
Publishing of Two New Technical Guidance Documents
The Critical preparedness, readiness, and response actions for COVID-19 and Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) Action Plan Guidance were published. -
RCCE Released
WHO, IFRC, and UNICEF jointly released the Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) Action Plan Guidance for COVID-19. -
First Cases in Eight New Countries/Territories/Areas (African Region [3], Eastern Mediterranean Region [1], Region of the Americas [3], and Western Pacific Region [1])
Eight new countries/territories/areas (African Region [3], Eastern Mediterranean Region [1], Region of the Americas [3], and Western Pacific Region [1]) report their first cases of COVID-19 -
First Cases in One New Country/Territory/Area (European Region [1])
One new country/territory/area (European Region [1]) reports its first cases of COVID-19. -
First Cases in Seven New Countries/Territories/Areas (African Region [3], Eastern Mediterranean Region [1], European Region [1], and Region of the Americas [2])
Seven new countries/territories/areas (African Region [3], Eastern
Mediterranean Region [1], European Region [1], and Region of the Americas [2]) report their first cases of COVID-19 -
New Protocol
As determined by positive antibody tests in the general population, a new protocol to investigate the extent of COVID-19 infection in the
population. The protocol has been titled the Population-based age-stratified seroepidemiological investigation protocol for COVID-19 virus infection. -
Six New Countries/Territories/Areas (African Region [2], and Region of the Americas [2], and Western Pacific Region [2])
Six new countries/territories/areas (African Region [2], and Region of the Americas [2], and Western Pacific Region [2]) report their first cases of COVID-19. -
Facebook and WhatsApp Messaging Service
In order to increase access to more reliable information, the WHO partnered with Facebook and WhatsApp to launch a Health Alert messaging service that provides the latest news and information on COVID-19. The information includes details of symptoms and how people can protect themselves. To access it, send the word "hi" to the following number on WhatsApp: +41 798 931 892. -
First Vaccine Trail
The first vaccine trial has begun just 60 days after the genetic sequence of the virus was shared by China. A large international study will be organized, called the Solidarity Trial, in which many
countries compare different treatments. -
Launching of #TogetherAtHome
WHO and Global Citizen launched #TogetherAtHome, a virtual, no-contact concert series to promote physical distancing and action for global health. Chris Martin, the lead singer of Coldplay, kicked it off earlier this week with a performance from his home. More Solidarity Sessions are planned. Donations to the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund are encouraged. (https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/donate) -
First Cases in Six New Countries/Territories/Areas (African Region [2], European Region [1], Region of the Americas [1], South East Asia Region [1] and Western Pacific Region [1])
Six new countries/territories/areas (African Region [2], European Region [1], Region of the Americas [1], South East Asia Region [1] and Western Pacific Region [1]) report their first cases of COVID-19. -
First Cases in Four New Countries/Territories/Areas from the African Region
Four new countries/territories/areas from the African Region report their first cases of COVID-19. -
First Cases in Four New Countries/Territories/Areas from the South-East Asia Region [1], and Region of the Americas [3]
Four new countries/territories/areas from the South-East Asia Region [1], and Region of the Americas [3] report their first cases of COVID-19. -
Support for Iran cont.
WHO delivered a new shipment of emergency medical supplies to the Islamic Republic of Iran as part of COVID-19 response measures. -
WHO and FIFA
WHO and FIFA launched a joint campaign to equip the football community to tackle COVID-19. -
First Cases in Two New Countries/Territories/Areas from the Western Pacific Region [1], and Eastern Mediterranean Region [1]
Two new countries/territories/areas from the Western Pacific Region [1], and Eastern Mediterranean Region [1] report their first cases of COVID-19. -
First Cases in Three New Countries/Territories/Areas from the Region of the Americas [1], and African Region [2].
Three new countries/territories/areas from the Region of the Americas [1],
and African Region [2] have reported cases of COVID-19. -
COVID-19 Global Humanitarian Response Plan
The United Nations launched a US$2 billion COVID-19 Global Humanitarian Response Plan to support the world’s most vulnerable countries. More information can be found here. -
First Cases in Two New Countries/Territories/Areas from the Region of the Americas [2].
Two new countries/territories/areas from the Region of the Americas [2] report their first cases of COVID-19 -
First Cases in New Country/Territory/Area: The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
One new country/territory/area reports its first cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours: The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. -
First Cases in Three New Countries/Territories/Areas: Botswana, Burundi, and Sierra Leone.
Three new countries/territories/areas report their first cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours: Botswana, Burundi, and Sierra Leone. -
Addressing Falsified Medical Products
WHO has released a Medical Product Alert that 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. -
Surveillance and Response Capacities in Iraq
WHO is working with Iraq to increase surveillance and response capacities. WHO has printed hundreds of thousands of prevention and transmission control messages, taken mobile health teams to the streets, and delivered urgent consignments of personal protective equipment (PPE) and laboratory test kits. -
First Cases in Malawi
Malawi reports its first cases of COVID-19. -
First Cases in Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba
Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba report their first cases of COVID-19. -
First Cases in Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Falkland Islands (Malvinas) report their first cases of COVID-19. -
New Searchable Database
PAHO has launched a new searchable database that contains the latest guidance and research on the COVID-19 pandemic from the Americas and affected countries worldwide. The press release is available here and the database is available here. -
First Cases in South Sudan
South Sudan reports its first cases of COVID-19. -
First Cases in São Tomé and Príncipe
São Tomé and Príncipe reports its first cases of COVID-19. -
First Cases in Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Saint Pierre and Miquelon reports its first cases of COVID-19. -
Food Safety Guidlines
WHO publishes a guideline on food safety, ‘COVID-19 and Food Safety: Guidance for Food Businesses’. -
More Tools Against COVID-19
Two new tools were launched to help health planners in the European Region prepare for the rapidly increasing number of patients with COVID-19 requiring acute and intensive care in hospitals. -
First Case in Yemen
Yemen reports its first case of COVID-19. -
Update on International Figures
As of this day, 167 countries, territories, and areas have implemented additional health measures that significantly interfere with international traffic. -
Updated Strategies for Tackling COVID-19
WHO has published the updated strategy for tackling the COVID-19 pandemic. The document translates what we have learned so far about the virus into strategic action and will frame the next iteration of the Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan, due in the coming weeks. -
Support for African Nations
The first UN solidarity flight has departed Addis Ababa carrying vital COVID-19 medical supplies to African nations. WHO cargo includes one million facemasks, as well as personal protective equipment, which will be enough to protect health workers and treat more than 30 000 patients and laboratory supplies to support surveillance and detection. -
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Staying Home
WHO and Global Citizen are joining forces with many of the world’s leading musicians, comedians, and humanitarians for the “One World, Together At Home” global special. It will be broadcast/Livestream on major social media networks, streaming services, and major television networks worldwide on 18– 19 April 2020. -
Further Support for Iraq
WHO has provided over US$ 400 000 dollars of medical supplies and equipment to the Ministry of Health of the Kurdistan region of Iraq to support response efforts in fighting COVID-19. -
Updated Strategies to Help Guide Responses to COVID-19
WHO has recently published an updated strategy to help guide the public health response to COVID-19 -
Solidarity Trial
As of this day, over 100 countries have joined the Solidarity Trial to evaluate therapeutics for COVID-19. The trial will compare four treatment options against local standard of care, to assess their relative effectiveness against COVID-19. -
COVID-19 Knowledge Hub
The Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) has launched a
GOARN COVID-19 Knowledge hub. The hub is designed as a central repository of
quality public health information, guidance, tools and webinars which can be
accessed freely at any point. -
Evidence Points Toward Zoonotic Source
All available evidence for COVID-19 suggests that SARS-CoV-2 has a zoonotic source. Many researchers have been able to look at the genomic features of SARS-CoV-2 and have found that evidence does not support that SARS-CoV-2 is a laboratory construct. A constructed virus would show a mix of known elements within genomic sequences – this is not the case. -
Publishing of Interim Guidances
WHO publishes an interim guidance ‘COVID-19 and Food Safety: Guidance for competent authorities responsible for national food safety control systems’ and ‘Water, sanitation, hygiene, and waste
management for the COVID-19 virus’. -
Guidance Regarding the Operation of Immunization Programs
The WHO Regional Office for the Americas has published a document providing guidance regarding the operation of immunization programs in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. -
First Cases in Comoros and Tajikistan
Comoros and Tajikistan report their first cases of COVID-19. -
Third Meeting of the Emergency Committee
The third meeting of the Emergency Committee was convened by the WHO Director-General under the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) regarding COVID-19. -
Virtual Convening
WHO virtually convened vaccine manufacturers and national regulatory authorities from its SouthEast Asia Region to discuss COVID-19 vaccines. -
Further Support for Iran
WHO has delivered additional medicines to the Islamic Republic of Iran as part of the Solidarity Trial, a global effort to find an effective treatment for COVID-19. -
Support for Tajikistan
A WHO COVID-19 mission has arrived in Tajikistan to support the country’s response to the pandemic -
WHO-hosted Webinar
The WHO Hosted a webinar to discuss how young people are contributing to the COVID-19 response and how they see their future in a post-pandemic world. -
Extended Outreach in Turkey
COVID-19 messages are reaching new audiences in Turkey as Goodwill Ambassadors from United Nations agencies in the country share information from WHO with their followers. -
Support for Somalia
WHO and the Delegation of the European Union (EU) have announced a new collaboration in Somalia to strengthen operational response activities for COVID-19. -
Further Guidance for Healthcare
WHO, UNICEF, and the International Federation of the Red Cross have published guidance for countries on how to maintain community-based healthcare in the context of COVID-19, which compliments the United Nations framework for the socio-economic response to COVID-19. -
Checklist to Support Prison Administrators and Policy-Makers
WHO launched a checklist to support prison administrators and policy-makers for a rapid and effective response to COVID-19. -
Support for African Nations cont.
WHO is supporting several African countries to coordinate and reinforce the work of emergency medical teams (EMTs) deployed to support the efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.
