Thread by @kakape

#COVID19 press conference from @WHO starts with @DrTedros pointing out that #covid19 is “straining health systems in many countries”. Says previous outbreaks have shown that when health systems are overwhelmed, deaths from other causes "increase dramatically”.

@WHO @DrTedros "Even though we're in the midst of a crisis, essential health services must continue”, says @DrTedros. Mentions involving medical students or retired health care workers as measures that can help do that. Plus setting up treatment centres focussed on #covid19.

@WHO @DrTedros Says @WHO has published a manual on how to set up such #covid19 centers by repurposing hospital wards or entire hospitals or setting up new ones in tents. Also describes how to set up screening facilities at hospitals and community facilities to care for mild patients.

@WHO @DrTedros .@DrTedros addresses shortage of PPE and other medical supplies. Calls on all countries to increase production and ensure equitable distribution of those products.

@WHO @DrTedros "We understand that many countries are implementing measures that restrict the movement of people.
In implementing these measures, it’s vital to respect the dignity and welfare of all people”, says @DrTedros.

@WHO @DrTedros .@DrTedros: Governments should keep their people informed about how long they intend to keep these measures in place, provide support for older people and other vulnerable groups and ensure welfare of people who lost income and desperately need food, sanitation and other services

@WHO @DrTedros Q: Does WHO recommend use of chloroquine? @DrMikeRyan: "So that we’re clear, there is no proven effective therapeutic or drug against #covid19." Number of drugs have shown promise, he says. Randomized trials are crucial.

@WHO @DrTedros @DrMikeRyan Measures that lead to widespread use of these experimental therapies are not encouraged by @WHO, says @DrMikeRyan. Partly because these drugs are needed to treat other diseases and widespread use can make it hard for these patients to get their drugs.

@WHO @DrTedros @DrMikeRyan In response to Q about shortage of ventilators in Africa, @DrMikeRyan acknowledges that that is a problem, but says even before ventilators play a role, availability of supplemental oxygen is a big issue. Ability to give supplemental oxygen, "truly is lifesaving”.

@WHO @DrTedros @DrMikeRyan Very confused messaging from @WHO when asked about Austria making masks mandatory. Both @DrMikeRyan and @mvankerkhove saying WHO does not generally recommend wearing masks by general public, because there is little evidence of benefit.(seems they mean to protect whoever wears it)

@WHO @DrTedros @DrMikeRyan @mvankerkhove But basis for Austrian policy is idea that it will curb transmission from individuals who are infected and don't know it. To be fair, @DrMikeRyan said he did not know the particular policy, I just worry that this will be reported as @WHO saying policy is wrong (not sure it is).

@WHO @DrTedros @DrMikeRyan @mvankerkhove “These stay at home measures have bought us a little bit of time”, says @mvankerkhove "And that short window has to be used appropriately so we get systems in place to look for this virus aggressively.” Asian countries that brought virus down are still chasing it aggressively.

@WHO @DrTedros @DrMikeRyan @mvankerkhove Another Q about chloroquine. Many things are active against viruses in lab experiments, @DrMikeRyan points out. “Chlorine is active against viruses. The question is whether they are safe and effective” when they are put into the human body.

@WHO @DrTedros @DrMikeRyan @mvankerkhove Reiterates that randomised trials are needed, so that scientists can “distill out the specific effect of the drug” on the outcome of disease. Also points out that these are unlikely to be “cures” but rather drugs that shorten #covid19 disease or make it less severe.

@WHO @DrTedros @DrMikeRyan @mvankerkhove Another question on masks: "There isn’t a lot of quantitative analysis of this”, says @mvankerkhove. Runs through things known to work instead: staying at home, washing hands, physical distancing.

@WHO @DrTedros @DrMikeRyan @mvankerkhove Q about how many tests needed. @DrMikeRyan says countries with a lot of testing have had positive result in between 3 and 12% of tests. Says @WHO would like to see countries have about 10 negative tests to any positive one. At much lower number likely to be missing many cases.