Thread by @WHO

On 28 February, WHO raised the risk assessment for the #COVID19 outbreak internationally from “high” to “very high.”

#coronavirus

https://twitter.com/who/status/1233412558352244740?s=21

Since WHO systematized its approach to risk assessments in 2012, this is the first time that the risk associated with an event has been assessed as “very high” at the global level.

#COVID19
#coronavirus

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1233835127509258241

A risk assessment is a systematic process for gathering, assessing and documenting information to assign a level of risk. It provides the basis for taking action to manage and reduce the negative consequences of acute public health risks.

#COVID19
#coronavirus

For the #COVID19 outbreak, WHO looked at a number of factors related to the #coronavirus, how it is spreading, and countries’ capacity to respond.

WHO concluded that the #COVID19 risk at regional and global levels was “very high” for reasons incl. the following:
1️⃣ 📈 of intl spread of cases
2️⃣ large clusters of cases currently reported in at least 4 countries outside 🇨🇳

#coronavirus

WHO concluded that the #COVID19 risk at regional & global levels was “very high” for reasons incl. the following:
3️⃣ difficulty in identifying cases due to non-specific symptoms & the potential of undetected transmission
4️⃣ limited testing capacity for COVID-19 in some countries

WHO concluded that the #COVID19 risk at regional & global levels was very high for reasons incl. the following:
5️⃣ potential for major impact on health care systems of some affected and potentially affected countries in the future
6️⃣ potential medical supply shortages

For more information on how risk assessments are conducted, see WHO’s manual on Rapid Risk Assessment of Acute Public Health Events bit.ly/2PAcHSC