Thread by @WHO

LIVE: Daily media briefing on #COVID19 with @DrTedros #coronavirus pscp.tv/w/cTURUzI2MTAy…

"I’d like to start with a brief update on the #Ebola epidemic in #DRC. It’s now three weeks since the last case was reported, and a week since the last survivor left the treatment centre. We are now in the countdown to the end of the outbreak"-@DrTedros

"We continue to investigate alerts & vaccinate contacts every day & the security situation in remains fragile.
In previous #Ebola outbreaks we have seen flare-ups even after the end of the outbreak, so we are continuing to provide follow-up care for over 1100 survivors"-@DrTedros

"The #Ebola outbreak in #DRC may be ending – but our determination is not.

And nor is our commitment to combating the #COVID19 epidemic"-@DrTedros

"Over the weekend we crossed 100,000 reported cases of #COVID19 in 100 countries.

It’s certainly troubling that so many people & countries have been affected, so quickly"-@DrTedros #coronavirus

"Now that the #coronavirus has a foothold in so many countries, the threat of a pandemic has become very real.

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

"The great advantage we have is that the decisions we all make – as governments, businesses, communities, families & individuals – can influence the trajectory of this #COVID19 epidemic"-@DrTedros #coronavirus

"We need to remember that with decisive, early action, we can slow down the #coronavirus and prevent infections. Among those who are infected, most will recover.

Of the 80,000 reported #COVID19 cases in #China, more than 70% have recovered and been discharged"-@DrTedros

"It’s also important to remember that looking only at the total number of reported #COVID19 cases & the total number of countries doesn’t tell the full story.

Of all the cases reported globally so far, 93% are from just four countries"-@DrTedros #coronavirus

"This is an uneven epidemic at the global level.

Different countries are in different scenarios, requiring a tailored response.

It’s not about containment or mitigation – which is a false dichotomy. It’s about both"-@DrTedros #COVID19 #coronavirus

"All countries must take a comprehensive blended strategy for controlling their #COVID19 epidemics & pushing this #coronavirus back"-@DrTedros

"Countries that continue finding and testing #COVID19 cases and tracing their contacts not only protect their own people, they can also affect what happens in other countries and globally"-@DrTedros #coronavirus

"WHO has consolidated our guidance for countries in 4 categories:
-with no #COVID19 cases
-with sporadic cases
-with clusters
-with community transmission.

For all countries, the aim is the same: stop transmission & prevent the spread of the #coronavirus"-@DrTedros

"For the first three categories, countries must focus on finding, testing, treating and isolating individual #COVID19 cases, and following their contacts"-@DrTedros #coronavirus

"In areas with community spread, testing every suspected #COVID19 case and tracing their contacts becomes more challenging. Action must be taken to prevent transmission at the community level to reduce the epidemic to manageable clusters"-@DrTedros #coronavirus

"Depending on their context, countries with #COVID19 community transmission could consider closing schools, cancelling mass gatherings and other measures to reduce exposure"-@DrTedros #coronavirus

"The fundamental elements of the #COVID19 response are the same for all countries:
1⃣Emergency response mechanisms
2⃣Risk comms & public engagement
3⃣Case finding & contact tracing
4⃣Public health measures"-@DrTedros #coronavirus

"The fundamental elements of the #COVID19 response are the same for all countries:
5⃣Laboratory testing
6⃣Treating patients & hospital readiness
7⃣Infection prevention & control
8⃣All-of-society & all-of-government approach"-@DrTedros #coronavirus

"There are many examples of countries demonstrating that these measures work.

🇨🇳 🇮🇹 🇯🇵 🇰🇷 🇺🇸 & many others have activated #COVID19 emergency measures"-@DrTedros #coronavirus

https://twitter.com/DrTedros/status/1236739686401552385?s=20

"🇸🇬 is a good example of an all of government approach – Prime Minister @leehsienloong’s regular videos are helping to explain the #coronavirus risks & reassure people"-@DrTedros #COVID19

https://twitter.com/DrTedros/status/1236739688515407878?s=20

“🇰🇷 have increased efforts to identify all #COVID19 cases and contacts, including drive-through temperature testing to widen the net and catch cases that might otherwise be missed”-@DrTedros #coronavirus

https://twitter.com/drtedros/status/1236739693670273024?s=21

“Nigeria 🇳🇬, Senegal 🇸🇳 and Ethiopia 🇪🇹 have strengthened #COVID19 surveillance and diagnostic capacity to find cases quickly”-@DrTedros #coronavirus

https://twitter.com/drtedros/status/1236739695947796486?s=21

“Further details on specific actions countries should take in specific contexts are available on WHO’s website who.int/COVID-19

WHO is continuing to support countries in all four scenarios.”-@DrTedros #COVID19 #coronavirus

“We’ve shipped supplies of personal protective equipment to 57 countries, we’re preparing to ship to a further 28, and we’ve shipped lab supplies to 120 countries.”-@DrTedros #COVID19 #coronavirus

“We’re also working with our colleagues across the @UN system to support countries to develop their #COVID19 preparedness & response plans, according to the 8 pillars.

We have set up a partners platform to match country needs with contributions from donors.”-@DrTedros

"More funds are being made available for the #COVID19 response, and we’re very grateful to all countries & partners who have contributed. Just since Friday, 🇦🇿 🇨🇳🇰🇷 & 🇸🇦 have announced contributions"-@DrTedros #coronavirus

"Almost USD300 million has now been pledged to WHO’s Strategic Preparedness & Response Plan.

We are encouraged by these signs of global solidarity. We continue to call on all countries to take early & aggressive action to protect their people & save lives"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"For the moment, only a handful of countries have signs of sustained community transmission.

Most countries still have sporadic #COVID19 cases or defined clusters. We must all take heart from that"-@DrTedros #coronavirus

"As long as that’s the case, those countries have the opportunity to break the chains of #COVID19 transmission, prevent community transmission and reduce the burden on their health systems"-@DrTedros #coronavirus

"Of the 4 countries with the most cases, 🇨🇳 is bringing its #COVID19 epidemic under control & there is now a decline in new cases being reported from 🇰🇷.

Both these countries demonstrate that it’s never too late to turn back the tide on this #coronavirus"-@DrTedros

"The rule of the game is: never give up.

But that can only be achieved with aggressive action, as early as possible. Half-hearted measures will leave the door ajar for the #coronavirus"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"We’re encouraged that #Italy 🇮🇹 is taking aggressive measures to contain its #COVID19 epidemic, and we hope that those measures prove effective in the coming days"-@DrTedros #coronavirus

"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"-@DrTedros #COVID19 #coronavirus

The full briefing on #COVID19 by @DrTedros 👉 bit.ly/2vcsEaY

Here are some photos from today's media briefing on #COVID19

"There are many vulnerable people in our communities:
-elderly
-people with underlying conditions
-people with cancer on chemotherapy
& other precious members of our society. It's a duty of us all to do as much as we can to protect those people among us"-@DrMikeRyan #COVID19

"The great advantage we have is that the decisions we all make – as governments, businesses, communities, families & individuals – can influence the trajectory of this #COVID19 epidemic”

-@DrTedros

#coronavirus