Thread by @WHO

Media briefing on #COVID19 with @DrTedros. #coronavirus pscp.tv/w/cWMoXjI2MTAy…

"Some countries and communities have now endured several weeks of social and economic restrictions.

Some countries are considering when they can lift these restrictions; others are considering whether and when to introduce them"-@DrTedros #COVID19 #coronavirus

"In both cases, these decisions must be based first on foremost on protecting human health, and guided by what we know about the #coronavirus and how it behaves.

Since the beginning, this has been an area of intense focus for WHO"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"As we’ve said many times before, this is a new virus & the first pandemic caused by a #coronavirus.

We’re all learning, all the time & adjusting our strategy, based on the latest available evidence.

We can only say what we know & we can only act on what we know"-@DrTedros

"Evidence from several countries is giving us a clearer picture about this virus, how it behaves, how to stop it & how to treat it.
We know that #COVID19 spreads fast & we know that it is deadly – 10 times deadlier than the virus responsible for the 2009 flu pandemic"-@DrTedros

"We know that the #coronavirus can spread more easily in crowded environments like nursing homes.

We know that early case-finding, testing, isolating caring for every case & tracing every contact is essential for stopping #COVID19 transmission"-@DrTedros

"We know that in some countries, #COVID19 cases are doubling every 3 to 4 days.

However, while COVID-19 accelerates very fast, it decelerates much more slowly.

In other words, the way down is much slower than the way up"-@DrTedros #coronavirus

"That means control measures must be lifted slowly, and with control. It cannot happen all at once.

Control measures can only be lifted if the right public health measures are in place, including significant capacity for contact tracing"-@DrTedros #COVID19 #coronavirus

"But while some countries are considering how to ease restrictions, others are considering whether to introduce them – especially many low- and middle-income countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America"-@DrTedros #COVID19 #coronavirus

"In countries with large poor populations, the #StayHome orders & other restrictions used in high-income countries may not be practical. Many poor people, migrants & refugees are already living in overcrowded conditions with few resources & little access to health care"-@DrTedros

"How do you survive a lockdown when you depend on your daily labor to eat? News reports from around the world describe how many people are in danger of being left without access to food"-@DrTedros #COVID19 #coronavirus

"Meanwhile, schools have closed for an estimated 1.4 billion children. This has halted their education, opened some to increased risk of abuse, and deprived many of their primary source of food"-@DrTedros #COVID19 #coronavirus

"As I've said many times, physical distancing restrictions are only part of the equation & there are many other basic public health measures that need to be put in place"-@DrTedros #COVID19 #coronavirus

"We also call on all countries to ensure that where #StayHome measures are used, they must not be at the expense of human rights. Each government must assess their situation, while protecting all their citizens & especially the most vulnerable"-@DrTedros #COVID19 #coronavirus

"To support countries in making these decisions, WHO will tomorrow be publishing its updated strategic advice.

The new strategy summarizes what we’ve learned and charts the way forward"-@DrTedros #COVID19 #coronavirus

"[The new strategy] It includes 6 criteria for countries as they consider lifting restrictions that:

1⃣transmission is controlled
2⃣health system capacities are in place to detect, test, isolate & treat every #COVID19 case & trace every contact"-@DrTedros #coronavirus

"3⃣outbreak risks are minimized in special settings like health facilities & nursing homes
4⃣preventive measures are in place in workplaces, schools & other places where it’s essential for people to go
5⃣importation risks can be managed"-@DrTedros #COVID19 #coronavirus

"6⃣communities are fully educated, engaged & empowered to adjust to the “new norm”.
Every country should implement a comprehensive set of measures to slow down #COVID19 transmission & save lives, with the aim of reaching a steady state of low-level or no transmission"-@DrTedros

"Countries must balance between measures that address the mortality caused by #COVID19, and from other diseases due to overwhelmed health systems, as well as the social economic impacts"-@DrTedros #coronavirus

"As the #COVID19 pandemic has spread, its public health and socioeconomic impacts have been profound, and have disproportionately affected the vulnerable. Many populations have already experienced a lack of access to routine, essential health services"-@DrTedros #coronavirus

"Our global connectedness means the risk of re-introduction and resurgence of #COVID19 will continue.

Ultimately, the development and delivery of a safe and effective vaccine will be needed to fully interrupt transmission"-@DrTedros #coronavirus

"I would like to thank the 🇬🇧 for its generous contribution of £200M to the global response to #COVID19.

We greatly appreciate this demonstration of global solidarity"-@DrTedros

https://twitter.com/DrTedros/status/1249643415744241664?s=20

"In an editorial last week, development ministers from the 🇬🇧, 🇩🇰, 🇮🇸, 🇫🇮, 🇩🇪, 🇳🇴 and 🇸🇪 calling on all countries to join this common endeavour.

They said that tackling this disease together is our only option.

I couldn’t agree more"-@DrTedros #COVID19 #coronavirus

The full briefing on #COVID19 by @DrTedros 👇 bit.ly/3a3ZfxV