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: ‘Legitimate concerns’ must be heard, and fears addressed over misinformation
Amid continuing uncertainty, fear and anxiety around the world over the COVID-19 pandemic, senior UN officials are keen to stress the legitimacy of concerns, listen carefully to citizens around the world, and help them distinguish between misinformation and accurate information, based on science.
Millionth death from COVID-19 ‘an agonizing milestone’: UN Secretary-General
With over one million lives now lost to COVID-19 globally, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has said that while the “agonizing milestone” is a “mind-numbing figure”, the world must never lose sight of each and every individual life.
Most countries failing to protect women from COVID-19 economic and social fallout
The COVID-19 pandemic is “hitting women hard”, but most nations are failing to provide sufficient social and economic protection for them, the head of the UN gender empowerment agency said on Monday.
FROM THE FIELD: COVID-19’s ‘deadly layer of complexity’ depicted in photos
The fall-out from the COVID-19 pandemic is adding a “deadly layer of complexity” to the global challenge of preventing more people from falling into poverty, a view articulated in a photographic exhibition sponsored by the UN Development Programme (UNDP).
‘Reverse course’ towards full nuclear disarmament – UN chief
On the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons marked on Saturday, the UN chief has underscored the need to “reverse course and return to a common path to nuclear disarmament”.
Conflict, climate crisis, threaten fragile gains to advance women and children’s health
Fragile gains made over the past decade to advance women and children’s health are threatened by conflict, the climate crisis and COVID-19, according to a new report from Every Woman Every Child, released on Friday.
Updated influenza vaccine advice targets protection of elderly and health workers
Amid a potential global shortage in influenza vaccines and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the UN health agency has advised countries to protect the elderly and health workers first.
UNcomplicated: ‘Multilateralism in action’
In this special anniversary episode of our UNcomplicated podcast, hosts Sinjuda and Jason get to stay in their pyjamas to interview our colleague Reem Abaza, who spent the COVID-19 emergency working at the heart of the UN, as spokesperson for the President of the 74th General Assembly.
Music credit: The Veil, by the band Signal and Report, written by Chris Hall and Noah Miller; along with their track, Abbey Minor.
Plus, ‘Wave Wash’, by Ketsa.
FROM THE FIELD: Protecting the post-pandemic planet
An emphasis on sustainable development and fighting climate change will benefit countries around the world as they recover from the unprecedented economic and social impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, says the UN Development Programme, (UNDP).
Countries urged to act against COVID-19 ‘infodemic’
The UN and partners have urged countries to take urgent action to address what they have described as the “infodemic” that has surfaced in tandem with the COVID-19 pandemic, both in the real world and online.