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.

A girl stands in a camp for displaced people, in Mogadishu, the capital. She was attacked and beaten following a food distribution (file).

Women ‘pay price’ of increased strains caused by COVID-19 pandemic

18 May 2020

Interviews

Somalia is a land facing problems on many fronts, from severe floods to desert locust swarms and terrorist attacks, but there’s an even darker threat, too: rising sexual violence amid the coronavirus crisis.

After the horrific rape of a young girl last week in the capital Mogadishu, it’s something that the UN wants to help the Government put a stop to more than ever, as Anders Thomsen from the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) tells UN News’s Daniel Johnson.

New York City's tourist attractions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art (pictured) have closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

UN News

Covid-19 crisis closes 90 percent of museums globally, UNESCO plans for reopenings

18 May 2020

Culture and Education

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc globally, museums have not been spared, the UN cultural agency said on Monday, International Museum Day, revealing that nearly 90 per cent of the treasured cultural institutions have had to close their doors, while almost 13 per cent are under serious threat of never reopening.

Lumads, a people indigenous to the Philippines, housed at the University of the Philippines in Quezon City, after being forced off their ancestral lands

B.R. Villacruel

Coronavirus impact on world’s indigenous, goes well beyond health threat

18 May 2020

Human Rights

The COVID-19 pandemic is having a devastating impact on the world’s indigenous peoples that stretches well beyond the immediate threat to their health, the new UN independent expert on the rights of indigenous peoples said on Monday.

With COVID-19 containment measures limiting people’s movement in Syria, the World Food Programme (WFP) has introduced measures to ensure that people receive their entitlements in as safe a way as possible..

United Nations

Renewed trust and cooperation could finally ‘unlock progress’ toward peace in Syria – UN envoy

18 May 2020

Peace and Security

Renewed trust, confidence, and cooperation between international players and Syrians could finally “unlock progress”, putting the country on a political path towards lasting peace, the UN Special Envoy for Syria told the Security Council on Monday.

James Chau, World Health Organization (WHO) Goodwill Ambassador for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Health, addresses the interactive hearing on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases.

UN Photo/Loey Felipe

‘Bold and daring’ action needed against COVID-19, WHO Goodwill Ambassador urges world leaders

18 May 2020

Interviews

Set piece speeches need to be set aside by world leaders attending the World Health Assembly this week, in favour of “bold and daring” action to end the coronavirus pandemic, according to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Goodwill Ambassador for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Health.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus addresses the opening session of the 73rd World Health Assembly in Geneva.

WHO/Christopher Black

UN chief renews call for COVID-19 solidarity as WHO warns ‘majority’ of world still at risk

18 May 2020

Health

A “massive” and combined effort by all countries is needed to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Monday, as UN health agency head, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, insisted that “the majority of the world’s population remains susceptible to this virus”.

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.