Thread by @WHO

Media briefing on #COVID19 with @DrTedros pscp.tv/w/ciEA_jI2MTAy…

"Yesterday I had the honour of addressing foreign ministers from the @g20org countries.

The focus of the discussion was on how together we can reopen societies, economies and borders.

This is something WHO supports wholeheartedly"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"Lockdowns are a blunt instrument that have taken a heavy toll in many countries.

With the right mix of targeted and tailored measures, further national lockdowns can be avoided"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"Several countries are using a data-driven approach to drive a targeted #COVID19 response.

This is allowing them to open up carefully and safely, while remaining ready to respond rapidly to any new clusters or amplifying events"-@DrTedros

"I want to reiterate the 4 priorities we urge countries to focus on:
-Prevent amplifying events
-Empower people to protect themselves & others
-Focus on the public health basics
-Protect the vulnerable"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"#COVID19 has preyed on ppl with non-communicable diseases (NCDs): cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes & respiratory disease.
🌍, NCDs & their risk factors are increasing vulnerability to COVID-19 infection & the likelihood of worse outcomes, incl. in younger ppl"-@DrTedros

"The odds of developing severe #COVID19 have been found to be as much as 7 times higher in patients with obesity"-@DrTedros

"Smokers have been found to be 1.5 times more likely to have severe complications from #COVID19"-@DrTedros

"And a systematic review has shown that people with diabetes are between 2-4 times more likely to have severe symptoms or die from #COVID19"-@DrTedros

"The #COVID19 pandemic has underscored the urgency of addressing non-communicable diseases and their risk factors"-@DrTedros #BeatNCDs

"Next week is Global Week for Action on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), which aims to increase accountability by governments, policy makers, industries, academia, and civil society to reduce the NCDs burden globally and increase health and equality"-@DrTedros #BeatNCDs

"I am pleased to launch a set of publications that have been developed under the @UN NCD Inter-Agency Task Force that call for urgent action on NCDs during and beyond the #COVID19 pandemic"-@DrTedros

"We call for
1⃣ the voices of people living with NCDs to be heard in all discussions about policies that directly affect them
2⃣ global financing instruments to be extended to low-income countries
3⃣ constructive & dialogue partnership with the private sector"-@DrTedros #BeatNCDs

"Earlier this week, WHO issued new guidance on the use of corticosteroids to treat patients with severe #COVID19.

Evidence shows that corticosteroids can be life-saving for patients on oxygen and ventilators"-@DrTedros

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1301230299460907009?s=20

"However, corticosteroids do not help #COVID19 patients with mild or moderate disease, and can be harmful.

WHO therefore recommends the use of corticosteroids only in patients who are severely or critically ill"-@DrTedros

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1301230299460907009?s=20

"Providing guidance on therapeutics, diagnostics & vaccines is one important part of WHO’s work.

Ensuring access to those products is another.

In the coming months, we all hope to have good news about a vaccine for #COVID19"-@DrTedros

"But if and when we have an effective #COVID19 vaccine, we must also use it effectively"-@DrTedros

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1301908812073447424?s=20

"In time, as production increases, we want all people everywhere to have access to #COVID19 vaccines.
But initially, when supply is limited, priority must be given to vaccinating essential workers & those most at risk, incl older ppl & those with underlying conditions"-@DrTedros

"In other words, the first priority must be to vaccinate some people in all countries, rather than all people in some countries.

This is not just a moral imperative and a public health imperative, it’s also an economic imperative"-@DrTedros #COVID19

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1301909456792498178?s=20

"In our interconnected world, if people in low- and middle-income countries miss out on #COVID19 vaccines, the virus will continue to kill and the economic recovery will be delayed.

Vaccine nationalism will prolong the pandemic, not shorten it"-@DrTedros

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1301909790290071553?s=20

"The COVAX Facility is the agreed international mechanism for ensuring equitable global access to #COVID19 vaccines.

It’s solidarity in action.

COVAX guarantees access to the world’s largest portfolio of vaccine candidates"-@DrTedros

"Our partner, the @CEPIvaccines, is supporting 9 candidate #COVID19 vaccines that will be made available to the COVAX facility if successful, 7 of which are in clinical trials.

We’re also in discussions about 4 other promising vaccines"-@DrTedros

"Another 9 candidates that are in earlier stages of development are being evaluated for inclusion in the COVAX Facility"-@DrTedros #COVID19

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1301910366021091331?s=20

"We are delighted that 78 high- and upper-middle countries and economies have now confirmed they will participate in the COVAX Facility, and the number is growing. I urge those who have not yet joined to do so by the 18th of September"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"I would like to thank those countries and economies who have announced publicly they are joining COVAX this week – 🇩🇪, 🇯🇵, 🇳🇴 and the @EU_Commission.

Many more countries have joined and we look forward to being able to share the full list in due course"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"Although we still face many challenges, WHO is encouraged by the progress we have made against this new virus in 8 months.

With national unity and global solidarity, we can and will end the #COVID19 pandemic"-@DrTedros

The full remarks by @DrTedros 👇 bit.ly/3bEjVzb