More than 1,750 experts from 124 countries - convened by WHO - discussed critical knowledge gaps and research priorities for emerging variants of the SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes #COVID19

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Scientists noted the importance of research to detect and understand early on the potential impact of emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2 on #COVID19 diagnostics, treatments and vaccines.

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It is normal for viruses to mutate, but the more the SARS-CoV-2 virus spreads, the more opportunities it has to change. High levels of #COVID19 transmission mean that we should expect more variants to emerge.

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Of the significant SARS-CoV-2 variants reported so far, some are associated with increases in transmissibility but not disease severity. #COVID19

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Better surveillance and laboratory capacity to monitor strains of concern needs to be accompanied by prompt sharing of SARS-CoV-2 virus and serum samples via globally agreed mechanisms. #COVID19

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"So far 350,000 sequences of SARS-CoV-2 have been publicly shared, but most come from just a handful of countries. Improving the geographic coverage of sequencing is critical for the world to have eyes and ears on changes to the virus."
-@mvankerkhove

#COVID19 Image

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More from @WHO

14 Jan
The international team of 13 scientists examining the origins of the virus that causes #COVID19 arrived in Wuhan, #China, today.

The experts will begin their work immediately during the 2 weeks quarantine protocol for international travelers.
Two scientists are still in #Singapore completing tests for #COVID19. All team members had multiple negative PCR and antibody tests for COVID-19 in their home countries prior to traveling.
They were tested again in #Singapore and were all negative for PCR. But two members tested positive for IgM antibodies. They are being retested for both IgM and IgG antibodies.
Read 4 tweets
12 Jan
WHO urges governments around the world to promote healthy food 🍎🥕🥛 in public facilities to prevent the 8⃣ million annual deaths currently caused by unhealthy diets.

More info 👉bit.ly/2MTkmgt Image
A new WHO Action framework aims to ensure that the food served or sold in public settings 1⃣ contributes to healthy diets and 2⃣ saves lives.

Here's why no public funds should be spent on food contributing to unhealthy diets 👉bit.ly/2MTkmgt Image
The 🆕 WHO action framework helps governments to

✅develop,
✅implement,
✅monitor,
✅evaluate

public food procurement & service policies that align with the WHO core principles of healthy diets 👉bit.ly/2MTkmgt Image
Read 5 tweets
11 Jan
"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"-@DrTedros #ACTogether
Read 31 tweets
11 Jan
"In the past 12 months, the #COVID19 pandemic has taught us all many lessons. One of the most important is that the health of humans, animals and the planet that sustains us are intimately linked"-@DrTedros at the @oneplanetsummit
Read 9 tweets
8 Jan
"COVAX, set up by @gavi @CEPIvaccines & WHO in April 2020, has now secured contracts of 2B doses of safe & effective #COVID19 vaccines, which we're ready to rollout as soon as the vaccines are delivered.
We also have the right of first refusal on an additional 1B doses"-@DrTedros
"At present, 42 countries are rolling out safe & effective #COVID19 vaccines. 36 of these are high-income countries & 6 are middle-income.
There’s a clear problem that low- & most middle-income countries are not receiving the vaccine yet"-@DrTedros
Read 28 tweets
8 Jan
WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts issued its recommendations on the use of the Pfizer/BioNTech #COVID19 vaccine. It reiterated the need to use the WHO Prioritization Roadmap to ensure that #healthworkers at high risk & older people are prioritized bit.ly/3biEl2f
We owe it to #healthworkers, who have been working around the clock, caring for our loved ones, to ensure that they are vaccinated as soon as possible. Given limited supplies, this is the right thing to do. bit.ly/3biEl2f
Vaccines give us great hope in 2021, but we must continue using ALL the #COVID19 tools at our disposal, incl. tests & treatments. These life-saving tools will only be effective if they are available for the most vulnerable equitably & simultaneously in all countries. #ACTogether
Read 5 tweets

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