From Our Bureau
16th MAY 2020
The Corona Virus (CPVID-19) pandemic situation remained grim globally, with the confirmed cases across the world soaring to 44,25,485 and the death toll reaching 3,02,059 in the 216 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 18,48,445 confirmed cases and 1,64,723 deaths. American region came next with 19,09,483 confirmed cases and 1,15,057 deaths. Eastern Mediterranean region reported 3,15,668 confirmed cases and 9,701 deaths.
Western Pacific region’s tally stood at 1,66,721 confirmed cases and 6,697 deaths. South-East Asia region recorded 1,27,995 confirmed cases and 4,201 deaths and African region witnessed 54,461 confirmed cases and 1,667 deaths. WHO Risk Assessment at global level remained very high.
WHO has published a new scientific brief on “Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children and adolescents with COVID-19,” given the reported clusters of children and adolescents who require admission to intensive care units with a multi-system inflammatory condition. There is an urgent need for collecting standardized data describing epidemiology, clinical presentations, severity, and outcomes.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros, in his media briefing yesterday, highlighted the need to “unleash the full power of science, to deliver innovations that are scalable, usable, and benefit everyone, everywhere, at the same time.”
WHO has published new guidance on “Cleaning and disinfection of environmental surfaces in the context of COVID-19,” intended for healthcare professionals, public health professionals and health authorities that are developing and implementing cleaning and disinfection policies and standard operating procedures.
WHO and UNICEF have published a document on frequently asked questions (FAQs) about immunization in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. These FAQs accompany WHO’s Guiding principles for immunization activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. (eom)
