Thread by @WHO

Media briefing on #COVID19 with @DrTedros pscp.tv/w/cdM5kjI2MTAy…

"It took 12 weeks for the world to reach 400,000 #COIVD19 cases.

Over the weekend, there were more than 400,000 cases across the globe"-@DrTedros

"There have now been 11.4 million cases of #COVID19 and more than 535,000 lives have been lost.

The outbreak is accelerating and we’ve clearly not reached the peak of the pandemic"-@DrTedros

"While the number of deaths appears to have levelled off globally, in reality some countries have made significant progress in reducing the number of deaths, while in other countries deaths are still on the rise"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"Where there has been progress, countries have implemented targeted actions toward the most vulnerable groups, for example those people living in long-term care facilities"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"Over the past few months, there has been a lot of discussion about the origins of #COVID19"-@DrTedros

"All preparations have been finalised and WHO experts will be traveling to #China on the next available flight to prepare scientific plans with their Chinese counterparts for identifying the zoonotic source of #COVID19"-@DrTedros

"The experts will develop the scope and terms of reference for a WHO-led international mission.

The mission objective is to advance the understanding of animal hosts for #COVID19 and ascertain how the disease jumped between animals to humans"-@DrTedros

"WHO will continue to communicate the latest scientific advances to the media and general public as we have them.

In this vein, WHO continues to work with technology companies to make sure people have access to accurate health information and resources on #COVID19"-@DrTedros

"Today, I am pleased to announce that we have partnered with @Facebook and Praekelt.org to provide WHO’s #COVID19 information in Free Basics and Discover, in a mobile-friendly format"-@DrTedros

"Through this collaboration, we will reach some of the most vulnerable people who will be able to access lifesaving health information without any data charges in more than 50 countries"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"Furthermore, I want to thank @Google for its continued support and dedication to keep the global community safe and informed and for its recently increased ad grant to WHO"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"This support enables us to catch trending falsehoods early, respond to them quickly, and give people better access to lifesaving information when they need it most, wherever they are in the world"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"20 years on from the Durban AIDS Conference, a game changing moment in the fight against #HIV; leaders, policy makers, scientists, activists and civil society are assembling virtually this week for #AIDS2020"-@DrTedros

"WHO is deeply concerned about the impact of #COVID19 on the global response to #HIV.
A new WHO survey showed access to HIV medicines has been significantly curtailed as result of the pandemic"-@DrTedros #AIDS2020

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1280147887293259776?s=20

"73 countries have reported that they are at risk of stock-outs of antiretroviral medicines (ARVs).
To mitigate the impact of the #COVID19 pandemic on #HIV treatment access, WHO recommends all countries prescribe ARVs for longer periods of time"-@DrTedros

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1280151370205728770?s=20

"Similarly, shortages of condoms and pre-exposure prophylaxis can prove costly and WHO calls for countries to ensure uninterrupted prevention, testing and treatment services for #HIV"-@DrTedros #COVID19 #AIDS2020

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1280154113096003585?s=20

"The disruptions in access to life-saving commodities and services come at a critical moment as progress in the global response to #HIV stalls"-@DrTedros #COVID19 #AIDS2020

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1280166259930398726?s=20

"Over the last two years, numbers of new #HIV infections stabilised at 1.7 million annually & there was only a modest reduction in #AIDS-related deaths.
More than 25M people now have access to ARVs but global targets for prevention, testing and treatment are off target"-@DrTedros

"Progress is stalling because #HIV prevention & testing services are not reaching the groups that need them most.
The lack of optimal medicines with suitable pediatric formulations has been a longstanding barrier to improving health outcomes for 👧👦 living with HIV"-@DrTedros

"Going forward, access to #HIV services for vulnerable groups must be expanded through stronger community engagement, improved service delivery and tackling stigma and discrimination"-@DrTedros #COVID19 #AIDS2020

"Twenty years ago, Nelson Mandela closed the #AIDS conference by saying:

“This is, as I understand it, a gathering of human beings concerned about turning around one of the greatest threats humankind has faced.”-@DrTedros

"Those words from Madiba echoed through a generation of activists and policy makers alike and I say them today as a message to the world.

More than six months in, the case for national unity and global solidarity is undeniable"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"To beat the #COVID19 pandemic and ensure that essential health services for diseases like #HIV continue; we cannot afford any divisions.

I will say it again. National unity. Global solidarity.

This is our only road out of this pandemic"-@DrTedros

The full remarks by @DrTedros 👇
bit.ly/2BCmXq1