Thread by @WHO

Media briefing on #COVID19 with @DrTedros pscp.tv/w/cg6K8TI2MTAy…

"I’d like to begin today’s briefing with an update on the #Ebola outbreak in the Equateur province of the #DRC.
The outbreak continues to increase and to spread geographically. Yesterday the 100th case was reported, with 43 deaths in 11 health zones across the province"-@DrTedros

"There is currently a delay of about 5 days from the onset of symptoms to when an alert about a suspected #Ebola case is raised"-@DrTedros #DRC

"This is concerning, because the longer an #Ebola patient goes without treatment, the lower their chances of survival & the longer the virus can spread unseen in communities"-@DrTedros #DRC

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1296829061776506882?s=20

"The situation has been further complicated by a strike by #healthworkers, which is affecting activities including vaccination and safe burials.

#DRC has the best-trained workforce in the world for #Ebola. This situation needs to be resolved as quickly as possible"-@DrTedros

"WHO and our partners are working intensively in communities to find cases and shorten the delay.

We’re also supporting the government of #DRC to take a stronger role in the #Ebola response, and to prepare areas that have not been affected so far"-@DrTedros

"There continues to be an urgent need for increased human resources and logistics capacity to support an effective #Ebola response across an ever-expanding geographical area, and to help health officials identify cases earlier"-@DrTedros #DRC

"The government of #DRC has developed a plan that needs about USD 40 million. We urge partners to support this plan"-@DrTedros #Ebola

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1296829510525034496?s=20

"Last month my colleague @mvankerkhove contacted a group called Long COVID SOS, representing patients with long-term effects from #COVID19. This afternoon I had the privilege of speaking with them. They told us about their experience & the ongoing challenges they face"-@DrTedros

"These patients want three things: recognition, rehab and research.
Recognition of their disease, appropriate rehabilitation services, and more research to be done into the long-term effects of this new illness"-@DrTedros #COVID19

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1296830112793612289?s=20

"Although we have learned so much about this disease [#COVID19], we only have less than 8 months of experience to draw on. We still know relatively little about the long-term effects"-@DrTedros

"My message to these patients was: we hear you loud and clear, and we are committed to working with countries to ensure you receive the services you need, and to advancing research to serve you better"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"Globally, there are now more than 22 million reported cases of #COVID19 & 780,000 deaths"-@DrTedros

"But it’s not just the numbers of #COVID19 cases & deaths that matter. In many countries, the number of patients who need hospitalization & advanced care remains high, putting huge pressure on health systems & affecting the provision of services for other health needs"-@DrTedros

"Several countries around the world are now experiencing fresh #COVID19 outbreaks after a long period with little or no transmission.

These countries are a cautionary tale for those that are now seeing a downward trend in cases.

Progress does not mean victory"-@DrTedros

"The fact remains that most people remain susceptible to this virus.

That’s why it’s vital that countries are able to quickly identify and prevent #COVID19 clusters, to prevent community transmission and the possibility of new restrictions"-@DrTedros

"No country can just ride this out until we have a #COVID19 vaccine.

A vaccine will be a vital tool, and we hope that we will have one as soon as possible.

But there’s no guarantee that we will, and even if we do have a vaccine, it won’t end the pandemic on its own"-@DrTedros

"We must all learn to control and manage this virus using the tools we have now, and to make the adjustments to our daily lives that are needed to keep ourselves and each other safe"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"So-called lockdowns enabled many countries to suppress #COVID19 transmission & take the pressure off their health systems. But lockdowns are not a long-term solution for any country"-@DrTedros

"We do not need to choose between lives and livelihoods, or between health and the economy. That’s a false choice.

On the contrary, the #COVID19 pandemic is a reminder that health and the economy are inseparable"-@DrTedros

"WHO is committed to working with all countries to move into a new stage of opening their economies, societies, schools & businesses safely"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"To do that, every single person must be involved.

Every single person can make a difference.

Every person, family, community and nation must make their own decisions, based on the level of risk where they live"-@DrTedros #COVID19

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1296831795296636929?s=20

"That means every person and family has a responsibility to know the level of #COVID19 transmission locally, and to understand what they can do to protect themselves and others.

At the same time, we will not – we cannot – go back to the way things were"-@DrTedros

"Throughout history, outbreaks and pandemics have changed economies and societies. This one will be no different.

In particular, the #COVID19 pandemic has given new impetus to the need to accelerate efforts to respond to #ClimateChange"-@DrTedros

"The #COVID19 pandemic has given us a glimpse of our world as it could be: cleaner skies and rivers.

Building back better means building back greener"-@DrTedros

"In May, WHO published our “Manifesto for a Healthy and Green Recovery”, with six policy prescriptions for protecting nature"-@DrTedros #COVID19

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1266289395453190145?s=20

"In July we added “actionables” for each of these policy prescriptions, providing 81 concrete steps for policy-makers to build a healthier, fairer, greener world"-@DrTedros #COVID19

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1289178979866300416?s=20

"Since then, over 40 million health professionals from 90 countries, have sent a letter to @g20org leaders, to call for a Healthy Recovery from #COVID19.

And we have seen many examples of countries acting to protect lives, livelihoods & the planet on which they depend"-@DrTedros

"Nairobi, #Kenya is improving parks, adding urban forests, building more sidewalks & improving drainage.

#Pakistan has set up a “green stimulus” scheme, offering labourers who are out of work as a result of lockdown a chance to earn money by planting trees"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"In the #UnitedKingdom, the use of coal, the most polluting form of energy, fell to its lowest level in 250 years.

#Spain is becoming one of the world's fastest decarbonizing nations, with 7 of the country’s 15 coal-fired power stations recently closed"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"#Portugal has announced it will become coal-free by next year.

#Chile has committed to reducing #airpollution and black carbon"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"Great cities such as Paris, #France have committed to becoming “15 minute cities”, where every service can be easily reached by foot or bike, reducing #airpollution and #climatechange"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"Hardship is always an opportunity to learn, to grow and to change.

#COVID19 is a once-in-a-century health crisis. But it also gives us a once-in-a-century opportunity to shape the world our children will inherit"-@DrTedros

The full remarks by @DrTedros 👇
bit.ly/34kle4z