Thread by @cnnphilippines

HAPPENING NOW: WHO holds #COVID19 media briefing

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1348677655210545153

.@DrTedros : One year ago, the 1st death from #COVID19 was reported & WHO issued its 1st tranche of technical guidance. The comprehensive package included guidance on:
surveillance
lab testing
infection prevention & control
readiness checklist
risk comms & community engagement

.@DrTedros : A year on, there have been almost 2 million deaths from the #COVID19 virus and while we are hopeful about the safe and effective vaccines that are being rolled out, we want to see this sped up and vaccines allocated equitably in the coming weeks. | via @WHO

.@DrTedros : Next week at the WHO #EB148, I will be encouraging all countries to fulfill their pledges to COVAX.

I call for a collective commitment so that within the next 100 days, vaccination for #healthworkers & those at high-risk in all countries are underway. | via @WHO

.@DrTedros : Governments, manufacturers, civil society, religious and community leaders must come together to create the greatest mass mobilization in history for equitable #COVID19 vaccination. | via @WHO

.@DrTedros : WHO continues to ask #COVID19 vaccine manufacturers from around the world to move swiftly to provide the necessary data that will allow us to consider them for emergency use listings. | via @WHO

.@DrTedros : I’m pleased that a WHO team is in #China currently working with producers of the Sinovac and Sinopharm #COVID19 vaccines to assess compliance with international quality manufacturing practices ahead of potential emergency use listing by WHO. | via @WHO

.@DrTedros : We also look forward to Serum Institute of #India submitting full data sets for rapid assessment so WHO can determine whether we can recommend their AstraZeneca #COVID19 vaccine for international use. | via @WHO

.@DrTedros : Over the weekend, WHO was notified by #Japan about a new variant of the virus.

The more the #COVID19 virus spreads the higher the chance of new changes to the virus. Most notably, transmissibility of some variants of the virus appears to be increasing. | via @WHO

.@DrTedros : At present, the variants do not seem to show increased severity of disease.

With new treatments coming, we are hopeful that more lives of those with serious cases of #COVID19 can be saved. But we need to follow the public health basics now more than ever. | via @WHO

.@DrTedros : Keep as much physical distance as you can from other people.
Keep rooms well-ventilated.
#WearAMask.
Keep your hands clean.
Cough away from others into your elbow.

You might get fed up of hearing it but the #COVID19 virus is not fed up with us. | via @WHO

.@DrTedros : Limiting #COVID19 transmission limits the chance of dangerous new variants from developing. | via @WHO

.@DrTedros: We're aware that sequencing requires specialized equipment, a trained workforce & close collaboration between experts
Building upon our existing lab networks, WHO is working with countries to enhance sequencing capacity & we extend our support to countries who need it

.@DrTedros: We are pleased that an international team of scientists – distinguished experts from ten institutions and countries – are commencing their travel to #China to engage in and review scientific research with their Chinese counterparts on the origins of the #COVID19 virus

.@DrTedros : This is important not just for #COVID19 but for the future of global health security and to manage emerging disease threats with pandemic potential. | via @WHO