Thread by @WHO_Europe

🎥 Watch as @hans_kluge and technical experts provide a briefing and answer questions from journalists on #COVID19.

Watch live here👉 bit.ly/3ac4UC7

#coronavirus

Thank you for joining us once again. For over 100 days we have been battling COVID-19 around the world. @hans_kluge

Let me begin by providing you with a snapshot of the current epidemiological situation and trends we have observed across the 53 countries in the WHO European Region. @hans_kluge

The storm clouds of this pandemic still hang heavily over the European Region. @hans_kluge

Case numbers across the Region continue to climb. In the past 10 days, the number of cases reported in Europe have nearly doubled to close to 1 million. @hans_kluge

This means that about 50% of the global burden of COVID-19 is in this Region. Sadly, over 84,000 people in Europe have lost their lives to the virus. @hans_kluge

Of the 10 countries in the Region with the highest numbers of cases, there have been optimistic signs in terms of declining numbers in Spain, Italy, Germany, France and Switzerland in recent weeks. @hans_kluge

But small, positive signals in some countries are tempered by sustained or increased levels of incidence in other countries including the UK, Turkey, Ukraine, Belarus, and the Russian Federation.

The next few weeks will be critical for Europe. @hans_kluge

The impact of this virus has darkened all our lives. My thoughts and deepest sympathy are with those grieving from the loss of loved ones or who or are seriously ill themselves. @hans_kluge

And I send my heartfelt gratitude to those on the frontline, in health and care services, who are keeping services operating, working relentlessly to save lives. @hans_kluge

I would also like to express my thanks to everyone for adhering to the national and local measures and restrictions in place over this last holiday weekend, and appeal to all to continue following these as we approach orthodox Easter in the coming days. @hans_kluge

Make no mistake, despite this spring weather, we remain in the midst of a storm. Several countries are yet to feel its full impact, while others are experiencing a lull as numbers of new cases of COVID-19 are falling. @hans_kluge

It is imperative that we do not let down our guard. But physical distancing, lockdowns and other measures to slow down and stop transmission are affecting lives and livelihoods. People are rightly asking: How much do we have to endure? And for how long? @hans_kluge

In response, we, governments, and health authorities must come up with answers to identify when, under what conditions and how we can consider a safe transition through a gradual shift in measures. @hans_kluge

New WHO Regional Office for Europe guidance will be released at the beginning of next week. I’ll be sharing the key points of that guidance with Ministries of Health from the 53 Member States of the WHO European Region tomorrow. @hans_kluge

I am extremely grateful to the independent European Strategic Advisory Group on COVID-19 for their feedback and input on Tuesday and to the Director Generals for Health in the region for their comments and input yesterday. @hans_kluge

As we consider transition, we must acknowledge there are no ‘quick wins’. Complexity and uncertainty lie ahead, which means that we are entering a period where we may need to rapidly adjust measures, introduce and remove restrictions…

… and ease restrictions gradually, whilst constantly monitoring the effectiveness of these actions and the response and reactions of the public. @hans_kluge

Ultimately, the behaviour of each of us will determine the behaviour of the virus. This will take perseverance and patience, there is no fast-track back to normal. @hans_kluge

Any step to ease restrictions and transition must ensure:
1⃣ That evidence shows COVID-19 transmission is controlled;

2⃣ That public health and health system capacities are in place to identify, isolate, test, trace contacts and quarantine them;

3⃣ That outbreak risks are minimized in high-vulnerability settings – particularly in elderly homes, mental health facilities and people residing in crowded places;

4⃣ That workplace preventive measures are established – with physical distancing, handwashing facilities, respiratory etiquette in place;

5⃣ That importation risks can be managed; and

6⃣ That communities have a voice, are aware, engaged and participate in the transition.
@hans_kluge

My single over-riding message?

If you cannot ensure these criteria are in place, before easing restrictions, I urge you to re-think. @hans_kluge

COVID-19 is unforgiving and has the ability to overwhelm the strongest of health systems, quickly. If countries do not have adequate all-of-society and all-of-government preparedness and response strategies in place…

if your health workforce is not trained and equipped, if your citizens are not informed and empowered with evidence-based information, then the pandemic will sweep through your communities, businesses and health systems, taking lives and livelihoods with it. @hans_kluge

Watch, learn and listen to each other – particularly the countries that are already taking steps to ease restrictions and transition to a next phase of response. @hans_kluge

Solidarity is key here, between the health authorities and COVID-19 response leads in the respective countries. @hans_kluge

We remain in the eye of the storm. When we put proven measures in place - ensuring that we can identify, isolate and test all suspect cases, and quarantine and monitor the health of all close contacts @hans_kluge

providing care to those who need it; together with physical distancing measures if necessary - we can stop the virus in its tracks. @hans_kluge

Any steps to transition towards ‘a new normal’ must be guided by public health principles, together with economic and societal considerations. We learn better, together. @hans_kluge

Now, more than ever, I call for solidarity between countries. It is the time to step-up and display both responsive and responsible leadership to steer us through this storm.

Thank you. @hans_kluge