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Coronavirus global health emergency: Coverage from UN News

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.

Young people pose questions to Secretary-General António Guterres questions during a UN75 event with youth at the Graduate Institue in Geneva (FILE PHOTO).
UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré

Tap youth talent to tackle COVID-19 crisis and beyond, UN chief tells Security Council

Even amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, countries must do more to harness the talents of young people to address the crisis and its aftermath, the UN Secretary-General told the Security Council on Monday during a videoconference meeting to review the five years since its adoption of a landmark resolution on youth, peace and security.

© UNICEF/Brian Ongoro

South Sudan: COVID-19 pandemic challenges add to existing crises

The COVID-19 pandemic is adversely affecting everyone, everywhere, with lockdown restrictions hitting the development and humanitarian relief sectors especially hard.

Aid deliveries across national borders are being hampered, posing an immediate threat to the United Nations’ efforts to provide vital assistance to end hunger and malnutrition.

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‘It is not okay how society is targeting Asian people recently because of the coronavirus, ‘ said Sophia (@shots_by_sophia) on Instagram.
© UNICEF/@katchyaphotos

‘Toxic lockdown culture’ of repressive coronavirus measures hits most vulnerable

Disturbing details have emerged from dozens of countries that a “toxic lockdown culture” against the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted drastically on society’s most vulnerable members, the UN human rights Office (OHCHR) said on Monday. The development follows UN Secretary-General António Guterres’s call last week for States not to use the COVID crisis as a pretext for repressive measures, in which he urged Governments to recognize that the threat was the “virus, not people”.

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