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
China shows COVID-19 Coronavirus can be ‘stopped in its tracks’
China’s experience in containing the spread of the new coronavirus could serve as a lesson for other countries now facing the COVID-19 pandemic, a senior official with the World Health Organization (WHO) has told UN News in an in-depth interview.
COVID-19: UN ‘remains open for business’, determined to deliver for the people we serve, says UN chief
In light of the continuing spread of the coronavirus, the UN has stepped up measures to safeguard staff and all those using its offices around the world, while at the same time ensuring that the critical work of the Organization continues to deliver on key mandates, and provide lifesaving support to those in need.
Coronavirus update: new WHO fund, Guterres calls for ‘prudence, not panic’
In a video message recorded on Friday afternoon, UN chief António Guterres assured the world that the COVID-19 virus will peak, and the global economy will recover but, until then, “we must act together to slow the spread of the virus and look after each other”.
Avoid coronavirus panic and misinformation, urges WHO
Although the COVID-19 virus outbreak has been designated a pandemic, containment is still possible, and there is no need to panic. This is the official advice from the World Health Organization (WHO).
After he took part in a media briefing at the UN health agency’s headquarters on Friday, WHO spokesperson Tarik Jašarević spoke to Daniel Johnson from UN News about the appropriate responses need by governments and citizens worldwide to the outbreak.
Coronavirus update: Countries urged to fight ‘controllable’ pandemic
With the COVID-19 outbreak now a pandemic, countries should not let up on efforts to fight its spread, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) said in Geneva on Thursday.
Now COVID-19 causes unprecedented halt to Human Rights Council session
The COVID-19 outbreak has caused unprecedented disruption in many areas of our lives, and that’s true of a key UN forum as well: the Human Rights Council.
On Thursday, it announced the suspension of its current inter-governmental session in Geneva, meaning that voting on Resolutions is on hold, until it can resume its work, promoting and protecting people’s human rights across the world.
Five things you should know now about the COVID-19 pandemic
On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) upgraded the status of the COVID-19 outbreak from epidemic to pandemic. Here are five important pieces of information on what this means for you and your community.
Coronavirus: Pandemic alert should be trigger for countries to do more against COVID-19
Countries must “double-down” on their efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus, the UN health agency said on Wednesday, after announcing that the global emergency can now be described as a pandemic. UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the announcement as “a call to action – for everyone, everywhere.”
Coronavirus update: UN addresses school disruptions, suspends public access to New York Headquarters
In an attempt to slow the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, classrooms have been shuttered across the world, causing a record number of students to miss school, the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization said on Tuesday.
Coronavirus update: COVID-19 likely to cost economy $1 trillion during 2020, says UN trade agency
Apart from the tragic human consequences of the COVID-19 coronavirus epidemic, the economic uncertainty it has sparked will likely cost the global economy $1 trillion in 2020, the UN’s trade and development agency, UNCTAD, said on Monday.