Thread by @WHO

LIVE: Daily media briefing on #COVID19 with @DrTedros #coronavirus pscp.tv/w/cS_HPzI2MTAy…

"Today I want to start by saying thank you to our colleagues in the media. As providers of information, you play a vital role in the response to #COVID19"-@DrTedros #coronavirus #KnowTheFacts

"The fight against rumours and misinformation is a vital part of the battle against this #coronavirus. We rely on you to make sure people have accurate information about the threat they face, and how to protect themselves and others"-@DrTedros #COVID19 #KnowTheFacts

"There is now a total of 95,265 reported cases of #COVID19 globally & 3281 deaths.

In the past 24 hours, #China reported 143 cases. Most cases continue to be reported from Hubei province, and 8 provinces have not reported any cases in the last 14 days"-@DrTedros #coronavirus

"Outside 🇨🇳, 2055 #COVID19 cases were reported in 33 countries. Around 80% of those cases continue to come from just three countries"-@DrTedros #coronavirus

"We see encouraging signs from 🇰🇷. The number of newly-reported #COVID19 cases appears to be declining & the cases that are being reported are being identified primarily from known clusters"-@DrTedros #coronavirus

"Although a few countries are reporting large numbers of #COVID19 cases, 115 countries have not reported any cases.

21 countries have reported only one case.

5 countries that had reported cases have not reported new cases in the past 14 days"-@DrTedros #coronavirus

"The experience of these countries & of #China continues to demonstrate that this is not a one-way street.

This #COVID19 epidemic can be pushed back, but only with a collective, coordinated & comprehensive approach that engages the entire machinery of government"-@DrTedros

"We are calling on every country to act with speed, scale & clear-minded determination.

Although we continue to see the majority of #COVID19 cases in a handful of countries, we are deeply concerned about the increasing number of countries reporting cases"-@DrTedros #coronavirus

"This #COVID19 epidemic is a threat for every country, rich & poor.

We’re concerned that some countries have either not taken this seriously enough, or have decided there is nothing they can do"-@DrTedros #coronavirus

"We are concerned that in some countries the level of political commitment and the actions that demonstrate that commitment do not match the level of the threat we all face"-@DrTedros #COVID19 #coronavirus

"This is not a drill.

This is not the time to give up.

This is not a time for excuses.

This is a time for pulling out all the stops.

Countries have been planning for scenarios like this for decades. Now is the time to act on those plans"-@DrTedros #COVID19 #coronavirus

“These are plans that start with leadership from the top, coordinating every part of government, not just the health ministry – security, diplomacy, finance, commerce, transport, trade, information and more.”-@DrTedros #COVID19 #coronavirus

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1235596467215228929?s=20

“-Activate your emergency plans.
-Educate your public, so that people know what the #COVID19 symptoms are & know how to protect themselves and others.
-Increase your testing capacity.
-Get your hospitals ready.
-Ensure essential supplies are available.”-@DrTedros

“Train your #healthworkers to identify #COVID19 cases, provide careful & compassionate treatment & protect themselves from infection.
If countries act aggressively to find, isolate, treat cases & trace every contact, they can change the trajectory of this epidemic”-@DrTedros

“If we take the approach that there’s nothing we can do, that will quickly become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

It’s in our hands.”-@DrTedros #COVID19 #coronavirus

“WHO has published step-by-step guidelines for countries to develop their natl action plans according to 8 key areas, which are supported by detailed technical guidance.
We call on all countries to accelerate those plans & stand ready to work with them to do that”-@DrTedros

"More funding is being made available to support countries that need it & that have plans in place"-@DrTedros #COVID19 #coronavirus

"The @WorldBank & the International Monetary Fund have both made funds available to stabilize health systems & mitigate the economic consequences of the #COVID19 epidemic, with a special focus on enabling access to critical supplies and equipment"-@DrTedros #coronavirus

"This is funding that is available now to countries who need it, in line with WHO’s Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan.

These funds are essential for supporting the #COVID19 response now, but also for long-term preparedness"-@DrTedros

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1235597612985626628?s=20

"Although #COVID19 presents an acute threat now, it is absolutely essential that countries do not lose this opportunity to strengthen their preparedness systems"-@DrTedros #coronavirus

"We know people are afraid & that’s normal & appropriate.
That fear can be managed & moderated with accurate information.
WHO has launched a new social media campaign called Be Ready for #COVID19, which urges people to be safe, smart & informed"-@DrTedros

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1235531688501030913?s=20

"If you feel overwhelmed by fear, reach out to those around you. Find out what your community’s emergency response plans are, how you fit in and how you can help"-@DrTedros #COVID19 #coronavirus

"There’s still a lot we don’t know, but every day we’re learning more & we’re working around the clock to fill in the gaps in our knowledge.

Ultimately, how deadly this #coronavirus will be depends not only on the virus itself, but on how we respond to it"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"#COVID19 is a serious disease. It is not deadly to most people, but it can kill.

We’re all responsible for reducing our own risk of infection, and if we’re infected, for reducing our risk of infecting others."-@DrTedros #coronavirus

"There’s something all of us can do to protect vulnerable people in our communities.

That’s why we keep talking about solidarity.

This is not just a threat for individual people, or individual countries.

We’re all in this together & we can only save lives together"-@DrTedros

The full briefing on #COVID19 by @DrTedros 👇 bit.ly/2TpwfLV