Thread by @DrTedros

Countries around the world are stepping up to fight #COVID19, implementing measures to stop & slow transmission of the #coronavirus, often in line with @WHO guidance 👉bit.ly/3aAvHsq

Below are some examples of containment & preparedness measures taken by countries.

1⃣All countries should activate their emergency response mechanisms for #COVID19 & scale them up as needed to mobilize action across government.

🇨🇳, 🇮🇹, 🇰🇷, some 🇺🇸 states are among many countries & communities that have activated emergency response mechanisms.

2⃣All governments should educate & engage their populations on #coronavirus.

Example: 🇸🇬 Prime Minister @leehsienloong shared his video message to explain the risks of #COVID19 & to reassure citizens the government is taking actions to stop the outbreak.

3⃣All countries should strengthen their capacities for #COVID19 case finding, contact tracing & management

@WHO is sending diagnostic kits to countries, boosting national activities to undertake testing for #coronavirus & support case finding & contact tracing.

4⃣ Countries could use existing respiratory disease surveillance mechanisms, adapted for #COVID19.

Example: To scale up surveillance, health authorities in 🇰🇷 have been running drive-thru temperature testing of people in an attempt to contain the spread of the #coronavirus.

5⃣All countries should put in place public health measures to prevent #COVID19 from spreading.

Example: 🇪🇹 hasn't reported cases yet, but is strengthening surveillance, diagnostics, medical care & public health information in readiness for a potential #coronavirus outbreak.

6⃣All countries must strengthen #COVID19 laboratory testing capacities.
Many countries have strengthened lab capacity to test suspected cases per @WHO case definition bit.ly/3cFPM2q. WHO has sent lab equipment to over 90 nations. This is helping to stop #coronavirus.

7⃣All countries should prepare to treat #COVID19 patients & to scale up hospital surge capacities

Example: In 🇨🇳, health authorities quickly scaled up healthcare facilities to treat additional cases, install needed equipment and isolate and triage patients.

8⃣ All countries should train #healthworkers for infection prevention & control & clinical management specifically for #COVID19

Health authorities around the world have scaled up training of healthcare staff in how to treat patients, supported by @pahowho, @WHOEMRO @WHOAFRO.

9⃣ All countries should develop & implement, if needed, all-of-society & business continuity plans to Be Ready for #COVID19

🇸🇬, 🇬🇧 & 🇳🇿 are among many countries with such plans. bit.ly/2VR7GcB

Governments can & should rapidly put in place the range of measures needed to reduce #COVID19 transmission & public, social & economic impacts. @WHO advises different approaches for treating people & outbreak response depending on local circumstances 👉bit.ly/3aAvHsq