This page brings together information and guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations regarding the current outbreak of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) that was first reported in Wuhan, China, on 31 December 2019. Please visit this page for daily updates. WHO is working closely with global experts, governments and partners to rapidly expand scientific knowledge on this new virus, to track the spread and virulence of the virus, and to provide advice to countries and individuals on measures to protect health and prevent the spread of this outbreak.
Coronavirus global health emergency: Coverage from UN News
COVID-19 isolation threatens life-saving vaccinations for millions of children globally
As countries around the world continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 117 million children risk missing out on measles vaccines, two UN agencies warned in Geneva on Tuesday.
Testing, tracing, and when to lift restrictions: WHO’s latest advice
The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), outlined his agency’s latest advice to countries on Monday in a statement, stressing that a mix of social distancing, testing, contact tracing and isolation, will be crucial to further curb the spread of the new coronavirus already devastating much of the globe.
Lebanon: UN mission helps local communities in ‘common fight’ against COVID-19
While performing their mandated duties “24/7” on land, in the air, and at sea, UN peacekeepers in Lebanon are also supporting local communities in preventing the spread of COVID-19, according to their Force Commander.
Major General Stefano Del Col reported that blue helmets with the UN mission in the country, UNIFIL, have so far donated essential supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE) to hospitals and other health facilities.
During this coronavirus pandemic, ‘fake news’ is putting lives at risk: UNESCO
Unreliable and false information is spreading around the world to such an extent, that some commentators are now referring to the new avalanche of misinformation that’s accompanied the COVID-19 pandemic as a ‘disinfodemic’.
Detained children at ‘grave risk’ of contracting COVID-19 – UNICEF chief
Hundreds of thousands of children in detention around the world are at “grave risk” of contracting COVID-19, the head of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said on Monday, calling for their urgent release.