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 has demonstrated COVID-19 course can be altered - WHO
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.
‘You cannot fight a fire blindfolded’: WHO chief blasts slow virus testing response
“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.”
COVID-19: Mental health in the age of coronavirus
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.
Chinese hospitals in worst-hit region receive medical ventilators for critical patients
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.
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.
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.