Thread by @WHO

Media briefing on #COVID19 with @DrTedros. #coronavirus pscp.tv/w/cT5F4zI2MTAy…

"In the past week, we have seen a rapid escalation of cases of #COVID19. More cases and deaths have now been reported in the rest of the world than in #China"-@DrTedros #coronavirus

"We have seen a rapid escalation in social distancing measures, like closing schools & cancelling sporting events & other gatherings. But we haven't seen an urgent enough escalation in testing, isolation & contact tracing, which is the backbone of the #COVID19 response"-@DrTedros

"Social distancing measures can help to reduce #COVID19 transmission and enable health systems to cope.

Handwashing and coughing into your elbow can reduce the risk for yourself and others"-@DrTedros #coronavirus

"But on their own, they aren't enough to extinguish this #COVID19 pandemic. It’s the combination that makes the difference. As I keep saying, all countries must take a comprehensive approach"-@DrTedros #coronavirus

"But the most effective way to prevent infections & save lives is breaking the chains of #COVID19 transmission. To do that, you must test & isolate.

You cannot fight a fire blindfolded. And we cannot stop this pandemic if we don’t know who is infected"-@DrTedros #coronavirus

"We have a simple message for all countries:
test
test
test.

Test every suspected #COVID19 case.

If they test positive, isolate them & find out who they have been in close contact with up to 2 days before they developed symptoms & test those people too"-@DrTedros #coronavirus

"Every day, more tests are being produced to meet the global demand.

WHO has shipped almost 1.5 million tests to 120 countries. We’re working with companies to increase the availability of tests for those most in need"-@DrTedros #COVID19 #coronavirus

"WHO advises that all confirmed #COVID19 cases, even mild cases, should be isolated in health facilities, to prevent transmission & provide adequate care.
But we recognize that many countries have already exceeded their capacity to care for mild cases in dedicated 🏥"-@DrTedros

"In that situation, countries should prioritize older patients & those with underlying conditions.
Some countries have expanded their capacity by using stadiums & gyms to care for mild #COVID19 cases, with severe & critical cases cared for in hospitals"-@DrTedros #coronavirus

"Another option is for patients with mild #COVID19 to be isolated & cared for at home.

Caring for infected people at home may put others in the same household at risk, so it’s critical that care-givers follow WHO’s guidance on how to provide care as safely as possible"-@DrTedros

"For example, both the #COVID19 patient & their care-giver should wear a medical mask when they are together in the same room.

The patient should sleep in a separate bedroom to others and use a different bathroom"-@DrTedros

"Assign one person to care for the #COVID19 patient, ideally someone who is in good health and has no underlying conditions.

The care-giver should wash their hands after any contact with the patient or their immediate environment"-@DrTedros #coronavirus

"People infected with #COVID19 can still infect others after they stop feeling sick, so these measures should continue for at least 2 weeks after symptoms disappear.

Visitors should not be allowed until the end of this period.

There are more details in WHO’s guidance"-@DrTedros

"Once again, our key message is:
test,
test,
test.

This is a serious disease. Although the evidence we have suggests that those over 60 are at highest risk, young people, including children, have died"-@DrTedros #COVID19 #coronavirus

"WHO has issued new clinical guidance, with specific details on how to care for children, older people and pregnant women.

So far, we have seen epidemics in countries with advanced health systems. But even they have struggled to cope"-@DrTedros #COVID19 #coronavirus

"As the #coronavirus moves to low-income countries, we're deeply concerned about the impact it could have among populations with high HIV prevalence or malnourished children. We’re calling on every country & individual to do everything they can to stop transmission"-@DrTedros

"Washing your hands will help to reduce your risk of #coronavirus infection. But it’s also an act of solidarity because it reduces the risk you will infect others in your community and around the world. Do it for yourself, do it for others"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"We also ask people to express their solidarity by refraining from hoarding essential items, including medicines.

Hoarding can create shortages of medicines and other essential products, which can exacerbate suffering"-@DrTedros #COVID19 #coronavirus

"We’re grateful to everyone who has contributed to the #COVID19 Solidarity Response Fund.

Since we launched it on Friday, more than 110,000 people have contributed almost 19 million U.S. dollars"-@DrTedros #coronavirus

"These funds will help to buy diagnostic tests, supplies for health workers and support research and development.

If you would like to contribute, please go to who.int and click on the orange “Donate” button at the top of the page"-@DrTedros #COVID19 #coronavirus

"We’re also grateful for the way different sectors of society are coming together.

This started with the #SafeHands Challenge, which has attracted celebrities, world leaders and people everywhere demonstrating how to wash their hands"-@DrTedros #COVID19

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1238404251933704193?s=20

"WHO & @iccwbo issued a joint call to action to the global business community. The ICC will send regular advice to its network of 45M+ businesses, to protect their workers, customers & local communities, & to support the production & distribution of essential supplies"-@DrTedros

"I’d like to thank @PaulPolman, Ajay Banga & John Denton
@iccsecgen for their support and collaboration.

WHO is also working with @GlblCtzn to launch the Solidarity Sessions, a series of virtual concerts with leading musicians from around the world"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"This is the defining global health crisis of our time.

The days, weeks and months ahead will be a test of our resolve, a test of our trust in science, and a test of solidarity.

Crises like #COVID19 tend to bring out the best and worst in humanity"-@DrTedros #coronavirus

"Like me, I’m sure you have been touched by the videos of people applauding #healthworkers from their balconies, or the stories of people offering to do grocery shopping for older people in their community"-@DrTedros #COVID19 #coronavirus

https://twitter.com/DrTedros/status/1239285623049072642?s=20

"This amazing spirit of human solidarity must become even more infectious than the #coronavirus itself. Although we may have to be physically apart from each other for a while, we can come together in ways we never have before"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"We’re all in this together. And we can only succeed together"-@DrTedros #COVID19 #coronavirus

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

Clarification: Children & young adults have been infected w/ #COVID19, though at lower rates than older adults.
While the vast majority have experienced mild disease, some have experienced severe or critical disease & some young adults & one child, that we are aware of, has died

Even one child dying from #COVID19 is one child too many.
We must protect vulnerable populations, incl. children, from infection by aggressive efforts to reduce transmission. This includes test all suspect cases, isolate & care for cases and quarantine contacts.

#coronavirus