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
UN rights chief urges quick action by governments to prevent devastating impact of COVID-19 in places of detention
COVID-19 has begun to strike in prisons, jails and immigration detention centres, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet warned on Wednesday, as she urged Governments “not to forget those behind bars” and to protect those working in closed facilities, in their overall efforts to contain the pandemic
Coronavirus could see global unemployment rise by 25 million: ILO in India
A new assessment by the International Labour Organization (ILO) shows the COVID-19 pandemic could increase global unemployment by around 25 million.
ILO is calling for an internationally coordinated policy response, which would be of particular benefit to South Asian countries like India, since a large part of its work force lacks social security and employment benefits.
UN News’s Anshu Sharma spoke to the Director of ILO’s Decent Work Team for South Asia based in the UN’s India office, Dagmar Walter.
UN launches major humanitarian appeal to keep COVID-19 from ‘circling back around the globe’
To confront the unprecedented worldwide challenge posed by the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic, top UN officials on Wednesday, launched a massive humanitarian appeal to mitigate its impact, particularly on fragile countries with weak health systems.
G-20 summit provides chance to rally strongly against coronavirus threat: UN chief
The COVID-19 crisis presents an "extraordinary opportunity" for the world’s leading economic forum to respond to the numerous threats the disease poses to people everywhere, the UN Secretary-General has said.
UN in Nigeria strengthens COVID-19 containment and care, mobilizes $2 million for key support to Government
The United Nations system in Nigeria has mobilized $2 million to help the Government’s efforts to contain the COVID-19 outbreak and care for those in the West African country stricken by the virus.
Online border observatory launches in bid to keep key medical and food supplies moving
As countries all over the world restrict the flow of goods to halt the spread of the COVID-19 virus, one UN agency has come up with a plan to keep vital food and medical supplies on the move.
The UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), has just launched an online Observatory on Border Crossings all over the world. I can be used by transport companies to keep goods flowing as smoothly as possible as UNECE’s Jean Rodriguez tells Daniel Johnson.
Call for Global Ceasefire to Fight COVID-19
UN chief António Guterres called for “an immediate global ceasefire in all corners of the world” appealing to warring parties to “end the sickness of war and fight the disease that is ravaging our world.”
In a remote press briefing, Guterres said the world face a “common enemy” in COVID-19 adding that the virus “does not care about nationality or ethnicity, faction or faith.”
COVID-19: Lockdown across India, in line with WHO guidance
India’s decision to impose a 21-day lockdown, which was announced on Tuesday, comes after a call from the UN health agency, WHO, for the country to take “aggressive action”.
Enable ‘all out effort’ to counter COVID-19 in war-ravaged Syria, urges top UN envoy
The top United Nations envoy in Syria called on Tuesday for an immediate country-wide truce, allowing citizens to save lives and tackle the common threat presented by the COVID-19 coronavirus.
Ease sanctions against countries fighting COVID-19: UN human rights chief
As the COVID-19 pandemic progresses, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on Tuesday called for an easing of sanctions against countries such as Iran to allow their medical systems to fight the disease and limit its global spread.