Thread by @WHO

Media briefing on #COVID19 with @DrTedros, @ladygaga and @GlblCtzn. pscp.tv/w/cWiEUDI2MTAy…

"Tomorrow, WHO is joining forces with many of the world’s leading musicians, comedians and humanitarians for the “One World, #TogetherAtHome” virtual global special"-@DrTedros #COVID19

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1250938650310914049?s=20

"This is the result of a close collaboration with my good friend @Hughcevans from @GlblCtzn & the inspirational @ladygaga, to bring entertainment, joy & hope into the homes of people all around the 🌍, whose lives have been turned upside down by the #COVID19 pandemic"-@DrTedros

"I would also like to thank @ladygaga’s mum Cynthia Germanotta @momgerm, who is our goodwill ambassador, who is doing a great job advocating for #mentalhealth around the world"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"This is an opportunity to express our solidarity with frontline workers & to mobilize philanthropists, the private sector & governments to support the #COVID19 Solidarity Response Fund, powered by the @unfoundation and the Swiss Philanthropy Foundation"-@DrTedros

"So far, the Solidarity Response Fund has generated USD 150M+ from 245K+ individuals, corporations & foundations.
These funds are helping us to buy personal protective equipment, laboratory diagnostics & other essential supplies for the countries that need it most"-@DrTedros

"More than 2 million cases of #COVID19 have now been reported to WHO & more than 135,000 people have lost their lives.

While we mourn for those we’ve lost, we also celebrate those who have survived & the thousands of people who are now recovering"-@DrTedros #coronavirus

"WHO is updating our guidance to include recommendations for caring for patients during their recovery period & after hospital discharge.
We’re encouraged that several countries in Europe & North America are now starting to plan how to ease social restrictions"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"We’ve said previously that easing these measures must be a gradual process, and we’ve spoken about the criteria that countries should consider"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"Yesterday we published our guidance on considerations in adjusting public health and social measures, which we encourage countries to read and apply"-@DrTedros

"But although we see encouraging signs in some countries, there are worrying trends in others.

In the past week there has been a 51% increase in the number of reported cases in Africa and a 60% increase in the number of reported deaths"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"With the current challenge of obtaining testing kits, it’s likely that the real numbers are higher"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"With WHO support, most countries in Africa now have the capacity to test for #COVID19, but there are still significant gaps in access to testing kits. We’re working with partners to fill those gaps and help countries find the #coronavirus"-@DrTedros

"The @AfricaCDC announced yesterday that more than 1 million tests for #COVID19 will be rolled out across the continent starting next week"-@DrTedros

"To further strengthen support for Africa, earlier this afternoon I spoke with 🇿🇦 President @CyrilRamaphosa; @AUC_MoussaFaki, Chairperson @_AfricanUnion; @antonioguterres, @UN SG; @KGeorgieva, Managing Director of the IMF & @DavidMalpassWBG, President @WorldBank"-@DrTedros

"In addition to tests, we’re also working hard to accelerate the development, production & equitable distribution of a #COVID19 vaccine"-@DrTedros

"Yesterday I spoke to 🇫🇷 President @EmmanuelMacron, @BillGates and other partners to discuss how to prevent another pandemic by getting vaccines from labs to people as fast as possible and as equitably as possible"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"I also spoke to the Prime Minister of #Barbados, @miaamormottley, and the current chair of Caribbean countries about the challenges faced by small island developing states in gaining access to test kits and other supplies. No country should be left behind"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"Today I also spoke to the President of the European Commission, @vonderleyen, and the Prime Minister of Finland, @MarinSanna, about continuing efforts across Europe to fight the #COVID19 pandemic and support lives and livelihoods"-@DrTedros

"I would like to clarify WHO’s position on “wet markets”.

Wet markets are an important source of affordable food and livelihood for millions of people all over the world.

But in many places, they have been poorly regulated and poorly maintained"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"WHO’s position is that when these markets are allowed to reopen, it should only be on the condition that they conform to stringent food safety and hygiene standards.

Governments must rigorously enforce bans on the sale and trade of wildlife for food"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"WHO has worked closely with the @OIEAnimalHealth & @FAO to develop guidance on the safe operation of markets.
Because an estimated 70% of all new viruses come from animals, we also work together closely to understand & prevent pathogens crossing from animals to humans"-@DrTedros

"Finally, WHO is committed to keeping the world informed in as many ways as possible, in as many languages as possible.

Our @Viber chatbot is now reaching 2.6 million people with reliable, evidence-based information, and is available in 16 languages"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"This week we launched Tamil, Sinhala, Bulgarian, Greek, Italian and Hungarian, and we plan to launch Polish and Bangla next week"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"I’m pleased to say that from Monday, we will be providing simultaneous interpretation for these press conferences in all official @UN languages: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian & Spanish.
We look forward to having more journalists join us from all over the world"-@DrTedros

The full briefing on #COVID19 by @DrTedros 👇
bit.ly/3ahg4Wl

.@DrTedros clarified WHO’s position on “wet markets” in today's media briefing. #COVID19

A reporter asked a question about Taiwan. WHO experts responded 👇