Coronavirus global health emergency: Coverage from UN News

The outbreak was first reported in Wuhan, China, on 31 December 2019

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.

Construction workers do road work in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Worldbank/Abbas Farzami

Swift policy action, strong leadership can save millions of jobs, ‘avert the worst’ amid COVID-19 pandemic

18 March 2020

Economic Development

As dire forecasts about the global economy add to the anxiety surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, the UN’s labour agency (ILO) on Thursday offered a range of urgent measures, which, if governments act quickly, can help to protect workers in the workplace, stimulate the economy and save millions of jobs.

Luwei Pearson (right), Acting Head of the Health Section of UNICEF on COVID-19, is seen here at the Pediatric Ward of Haitian Teaching Hospital-UNICEF Supported Neonatal Project.

Still ‘early days’ to assess COVID-19 impact on children: UNICEF

18 March 2020

Interviews

Shortly after the outbreak of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19), UNICEF was among the first United Nations agencies to step up and deliver much-needed medical supplies including masks to China.

UN News spoke to Ms. Luwei Pearson, Acting Director of UNICEF’s Health Programme Division, about the agency’s quick response to the outbreak, and other issues including the possible physical and mental impact on millions of children faced with school closures.

UN News’s Maoqi Li spoke to Ms. Luwei Pearson, via skype.

UNICEF offers tips on how to speak to your children about COVID-19.

Talking to your children about coronavirus: Let them know you’re listening, remind them you care

17 March 2020

Health

As many adults are overwhelmed and anxious about the coronavirus pandemic, the United Nations shined a light on how children may be feeling and urged parents to have open, supportive discussions to help them cope.

Ambuchu John is 58 years old and completely blind, seen here standing in his new home with his two eldest children, having been displaced by the fighting in Buea District, Cameroon.

UNOCHA/Giles Clarke

Coronavirus update: humanitarian work must continue, ‘no exceptions’ for bold action in Europe, ensure sufficient medicine stocks

17 March 2020

Health

UN humanitarian agency issues reminder that millions need humanitarian aid, WHO Europe wants countries to take “bold steps” to stop coronavirus, and a UN-backed narcotics body calls for sufficient stocks of medicine to be maintained.

A quick smile from one of the 183 refugees resettled, originating in Sudan and the Central African Republic, prepares for his new life in France.

IOM

COVID-19: Agencies temporarily suspend refugee resettlement travel

17 March 2020

Migrants and Refugees

A “vital lifeline” for vulnerable families forced to flee their homelands has fallen victim to the COVID-19 pandemic as two UN agencies announced on Tuesday that they are temporarily suspending resettlement travel for refugees.

People across the world are taking precautions against the COVID-19 coronavirus, including the man taking a ride in the photo above.

Unsplash/Aalok Atreya

South-East Asian countries urged to ‘do more’ to fight COVID-19

17 March 2020

Health

With South-East Asia reporting more than 480 cases of COVID-19 and eight deaths, the World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday called for countries to “act now” and urgently scale-up “aggressive” measures to tackle the disease.

WHO infographics on preventing novel coronavirus in China

WHO Graphics

China has demonstrated COVID-19 course can be altered - WHO

16 March 2020

Interviews

A decline in COVID-19 cases in China demonstrates that containment efforts can help alter the course of the pandemic.

That’s the opinion of Dr. Gauden Galea, the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in the country.

COVID-19 first emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December 2019. Last week, WHO announced it could be characterized as a pandemic.

People arriving at Luxor airport in Egypt are screened for symptoms of coronavirus.

Khaled Abdul-Wahab

‘You cannot fight a fire blindfolded’: WHO chief blasts slow virus testing response

16 March 2020

Health

“The most effective way to prevent infections and save lives, is breaking the chains of transmission. And to do that, you must test and isolate”, said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, at Monday’s COVID-19 press briefing, held at the UN health agency’s headquarters in Geneva: “Once again, our message is: test, test, test.”

As the COVID-19 spreads in the United States, an increasing number of New Yorkers appear to have started wearing face masks as a precaution against the virus.

UN Photo/Loey Felipe

COVID-19: Mental health in the age of coronavirus

16 March 2020

Health

Since January when the World Health Organization (WHO) determined the outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease, COVID-19, to be a “public health emergency of international concern”, stress levels everywhere have continued to mount.

The World Food Programme (WFP) is providing lifesaving medical equipment to hospitals in Hubei in China.

Yingshi Zhang

Chinese hospitals in worst-hit region receive medical ventilators for critical patients

16 March 2020

Interviews

The largest humanitarian agency on the planet, the UN World Food Programme, or WFP, has sent lifesaving medical equipment to China to help treat COVID-19 sufferers in the worst-hit area of the country.

WHO has shipped almost 1.5 million tests to 120 countries, which are working with companies to increase the availability of tests for those most in need.

In an interview with Daniel Johnson from UN News, WFP spokesperson Elisabeth Byrs gives an update on key priorities.

WHO’s Advice For the general public

Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) advice for the public.

WHO

If you are healthy, you only need to wear a mask if you are taking care of a person with suspected 2019-nCoV infection.
Wear a mask if you are coughing or sneezing.
Masks are effective only when used in combination with frequent hand-cleaning with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
If you wear a mask, then you must know how to use it and dispose of it properly.

How to put on, use, take off and dispose of a mask

WHO

Before putting on a mask, clean hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
Cover mouth and nose with mask and make sure there are no gaps between your face and the mask.
Avoid touching the mask while using it; if you do, clean your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
Replace the mask with a new one as soon as it is damp and do not re-use single-use masks.
To remove the mask: remove it from behind (do not touch the front of mask); discard immediately in a closed bin; clean hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.

Is it safe to receive a letter or a package from China?

Yes, it is safe. People receiving packages from China are not at risk of contracting the new coronavirus. From previous analysis, we know coronaviruses do not survive long on objects, such as letters or packages.

Can pets at home spread the new coronavirus (2019-nCoV)?

At present, there is no evidence that companion animals/pets such as dogs or cats can be infected with the new coronavirus. However, it is always a good idea to wash your hands with soap and water after contact with pets. This protects you against various common bacteria such as E.coli and Salmonella that can pass between pets and humans.

Do vaccines against pneumonia protect you against the new coronavirus?

No. Vaccines against pneumonia, such as pneumococcal vaccine and Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib) vaccine, do not provide protection against the new coronavirus.

The virus is so new and different that it needs its own vaccine. Researchers are trying to develop a vaccine against 2019-nCoV, and WHO is supporting their efforts.

Although these vaccines are not effective against 2019-nCoV, vaccination against respiratory illnesses is highly recommended to protect your health.

Can regularly rinsing your nose with saline help prevent infection with the new coronavirus?

No. There is no evidence that regularly rinsing the nose with saline has protected people from infection with the new coronavirus.

There is some limited evidence that regularly rinsing nose with saline can help people recover more quickly from the common cold. However, regularly rinsing the nose has not been shown to prevent respiratory infections.

Can gargling mouthwash protect you from infection with the new coronavirus?

No. There is no evidence that using mouthwash will protect you from infection with the new coronavirus.

Some brands or mouthwash can eliminate certain microbes for a few minutes in the saliva in your mouth. However, this does not mean they protect you from 2019-nCoV infection.

Can eating garlic help prevent infection with the new coronavirus?

Garlic is a healthy food that may have some antimicrobial properties. However, there is no evidence from the current outbreak that eating garlic has protected people from the new coronavirus.

Does putting on sesame oil block the new coronavirus from entering the body?

No. Sesame oil does not kill the new coronavirus. There are some chemical disinfectants that can kill the 2019-nCoV on surfaces. These include bleach/chlorine-based disinfectants, either solvents, 75% ethanol, peracetic acid and chloroform.

However, they have little or no impact on the virus if you put them on the skin or under your nose. It can even be dangerous to put these chemicals on your skin.

Does the new coronavirus affect older people, or are younger people also susceptible?

People of all ages can be infected by the new coronavirus (2019-nCoV). Older people, and people with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease) appear to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus.

WHO advises people of all ages to take steps to protect themselves from the virus, for example by following good hand hygiene and good respiratory hygiene.

Are antibiotics effective in preventing and treating the new coronavirus?

No, antibiotics do not work against viruses, only bacteria.

The new coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is a virus and, therefore, antibiotics should not be used as a means of prevention or treatment.

However, if you are hospitalized for the 2019-nCoV, you may receive antibiotics because bacterial co-infection is possible.

Are there any specific medicines to prevent or treat the new coronavirus?

To date, there is no specific medicine recommended to prevent or treat the new coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

However, those infected with the virus should receive appropriate care to relieve and treat symptoms, and those with severe illness should receive optimized supportive care. Some specific treatments are under investigation, and will be tested through clinical trials. WHO is helping to accelerate research and development efforts with a range or partners.