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
New UN report outlines ways to curb growing spread of animal-to-human diseases
As the battle against COVID-19 rages, the world can expect to see other diseases that pass from animals to humans emerge, according to a new UN report launched on Monday, which maintains that there is still time to head off potential zoonotic pandemics.
COVID-19 linked to expected glut of stolen art for sale online, warns UN cultural agency
If you were offered the chance to buy a stunning African artefact, apparently with the blessing of the UN, what would you do?
For many people, it’s not obvious that the Organization never endorses or validates in any way, the sale of cultural treasures from any country.
COVID-19 fast becoming protection crisis, Guterres warns Security Council
The COVID-19 pandemic is “profoundly affecting” peace and security across the globe, the Secretary-General told the Security Council on Thursday, pressing the 15-member body to use its collective influence to protect the millions of people either trapped in, or fleeing conflict, and already facing acute vulnerabilities.
Helping youth enterprise take off, will bring sustainable returns, say UN economists
Young entrepreneurs who want their work to have a positive impact on their communities, urgently need more help from governments if they’re to succeed and resist the COVID-19-fuelled economic downturn, UN economists said on Thursday.
‘Long, hard road ahead’ for countries taking piecemeal approach to COVID
The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) warned on Monday that some nations battling the COVID-19 pandemic who have been taking a “fragmented approach” to suppressing the deadly virus, “face a long, hard road ahead.”
Stalled Security Council resolution adopted, backing UN’s global humanitarian ceasefire call
The Security Council on Wednesday echoed the Secretary-General’s call for a worldwide ceasefire, to combat the coronavirus pandemic that has already claimed more than half a million lives. The UN chief welcomed the long-awaited move, calling for countries to "redouble their efforts for peace".
'Bold and creative’ solutions needed for a sustainable, post-pandemic economy
Unless the world acts now, the COVID-19 pandemic and accompanying global recession, will trigger “years of depressed and disrupted economic growth”, the UN chief warned on Wednesday.
Syria: Top UN officials appeal to donors to help end ‘shocking’ scale of suffering
The UN chief called on the world to step up “financial, humanitarian and political commitments”, to help end nearly a decade of brutal conflict and suffering across Syria, in a video message delivered to the fourth Brussels Donor Conference on Tuesday.
Hard times forecast for global job recovery in 2020, warns UN labour agency chief
The impact of the COVID-19 crisis on jobs has been much worse than expected initially, the head of the UN labour agency said on Tuesday, in an appeal to Governments, workers and employers, to agree on a sustainable economic recovery plan to reduce inequalities laid bare by the pandemic.
Pause before sharing, to help stop viral spread of COVID-19 misinformation
The UN is asking people to make the same judgement calls they’ve been applying to social distancing, to social media, and take extra care before sharing.