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
Tedros highlights complex challenges posed by COVID-19 resurgence, as lockdowns ease
The resurgence of COVID-19 cases in South Korea, China and Germany following the lifting of stay-at-home restrictions demonstrates the complexity of easing these measures, World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Monday.
‘Urgency to act’ for sustainable development, greater than ever as coronavirus pandemic continues
As COVID-19 upends lives and livelihoods across the planet, the UN on Monday held a wide-ranging policy discussion stressing a range of multilateral solutions to ease the pandemic, while also getting back on track towards achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
UN officials call for release of detained Palestinian children amid pandemic
Three senior United Nations officials in the Middle East are calling for the release of Palestinian children from Israeli-run prisons and detentions centres, saying they are at particular risk of COVID-19 infection.
UN issues ‘wake-up call’: Don’t sideline AIDS response during COVID-19 crisis
As the world continues to grapple with the coronavirus, decades of advances made in the battle against HIV are under threat, noted two UN agencies on Monday, point out that disruptions to treatment could cause hundreds of thousands of HIV-related deaths.
Wildlife trade: Regulated markets involving local communities, ‘essential’ to balance humans and nature
Since COVID-19 emerged in central China in late December, health officials have raced to locate where and how the virus was first transmitted from its likely animal origins, to humans.
As the main international regulator dealing with the wildlife trade - both legal and illegal - the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, CITES, is highlighting the crucial importance of developing a better balance in the relationship between people and the natural world.