From Our Bureau
24th April 2020
The Corona Virus (CPVID-19) pandemic situation remained grim globally, with the confirmed cases across the world jumping to 26,26,321 and the death toll mounting to 1,81,938 in the 213 affected countries and territories, according to the latest update from the World Health Organization (WHO).
Globally, European region continued to be the worst-hit, with 12,84,216 confirmed cases and 1,16,523 deaths. American region came next with 9,95,510 confirmed cases and 50,583 deaths. Western Pacific region’s tally stood at 1,39,782 confirmed cases and 5,869 deaths. Eastern Mediterranean region reported 1,49,295 confirmed cases and 6,608 deaths. South-East Asia region recorded 38,572 confirmed cases and 1,554 deaths and African region witnessed 18,234 confirmed cases and 788 deaths. WHO Risk Assessment at global level remained very high.
WHO has published an interim guidance ‘COVID-19 and Food Safety: Guidance for competent authorities responsible for national food safety control systems’. The guidance document provides advice and recommendations for national food safety authorities to optimize food control functions and prioritize critical services that preserve the integrity of food safety systems.
WHO has published an interim guidance ‘Water, sanitation, hygiene, and waste management for the COVID-19 virus’. This interim guidance is the second edition and supplements existing infection prevention and control documents by summarizing the latest evidence on COVID-19 in water supplies and sanitation. It highlights WHO guidance on water, sanitation, hand hygiene and health care waste which is relevant for viruses (including coronaviruses).
WHO’s Health Security Learning Platform offers a number of online courses to help enhance knowledge on specific issues related to the implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005). A new course, “Operational considerations for managing COVID-19 cases/outbreak in aviation”, is available. (eom)
