Thread by @WHO

Media briefing on #COVID19 with @DrTedros pscp.tv/w/c0frIzI2MTAy…

"Around the 🌍, #COVID19 cases & deaths are continuing to increase at worrying rates. Globally, the number of new cases per week has nearly doubled over the past two months. This is approaching the highest rate of infection that we have seen so far during the pandemic"-@DrTedros

"Some countries that had previously avoided widespread #COVID19 transmission are now seeing steep increases in infections.

One of those countries is #PapuaNewGuinea. Until the beginning of this year, 🇵🇬 had reported less than 900 cases, and just 9 deaths"-@DrTedros

"It has now reported more than 9300 #COVID19 cases, and 82 deaths. While these numbers are still smaller than other countries, the increase is sharp and WHO is very concerned about the potential for a much larger epidemic"-@DrTedros

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1382969324399378433?s=20

"There is large-scale community transmission in the capital Port Moresby and the Western Province, and all 22 provinces have now reported #COVID19 cases"-@DrTedros

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1382969324399378433?s=20

"Rollout of the AstraZeneca #COVID19 vaccine started in late March, with 8000 doses donated by 🇦🇺, and a further 132 thousand doses from #COVAX arrived this week"-@DrTedros #VaccinEquity

https://twitter.com/WHOWPRO/status/1381838708647849987?s=20

"The #COVID19 vaccine is being offered first to priority groups, including health workers, to protect the local health system"-@DrTedros #VaccinEquity

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1382970215219273729?s=20

"Through WHO’s Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network, or GOARN, 13 experts have been deployed to support the government with case management, epidemiology, infection prevention and control, laboratory support and information management"-@DrTedros #COVID19 #PapuaNewGuinea

"Emergency medical teams from Australia, Germany and the United States have also arrived to support the response, with others expected in the coming weeks"-@DrTedros #COVID19 #PapuaNewGuinea

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1382970656359342081?s=20

"WHO is continuing to work closely with the National Department of Health and partners to provide technical advice and support, and to boost local health response capacity. This includes an emphasis on expanding testing"-@DrTedros #COVID19 #PapuaNewGuinea

"🇵🇬 is a perfect example of why #VaccinEquity is so important. It has held #COVID19 at bay for so long, but with:
Rising infections
Social restrictions fatigue
Low levels of immunity among the population
Fragile 🏥 system
it’s vital that it receives more vaccines ASAP"-@DrTedros

"Today I’m pleased to welcome #PapuaNewGuinea’s Minister of Health, the Honourable Jelta Wong. Minister, thank you for your leadership at this difficult time for your nation, and thank you so much for taking the time to join us today"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"#PapuaNewGuinea is one of 37 countries in @WHOWPRO. Although the first cases of #COVID19 were reported from the Western Pacific, the region still has the fewest cases and deaths of WHO’s six regions"-@DrTedros

"Many of @WHOWPRO countries have applied lessons learned from past experience with infectious disease outbreaks like SARS, MERS and influenza, and have been strong examples of how #COVID19 can be contained with proven public health measures"-@DrTedros

"#COVID19 cases are now increasing sharply in #PapuaNewGuinea and some other countries in the @WHOWPRO region. The trajectory is worrying and the situation is fragile"-@DrTedros

"I’m glad that today we have been able to showcase the incredible capacity of WHO to provide support on the ground in countries, at the regional level and here at headquarters"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"At the global level, we are continuing to assess the evolution of the #COVID19 pandemic, and to adjust our advice accordingly"-@DrTedros

"Under the International Health Regulations, the Emergency Committee held its 7th meeting yesterday, & I look forward to receiving its advice on Monday.

🌍, our message to all people in all countries remains the same: we all have a role to play in ending the pandemic"-@DrTedros