From Our Bureau
3RD JULY 2020
The Corona Virus (COVID-19) pandemic situation remained grim globally, with the confirmed cases across the world soaring to 1,07,10,005 and the death toll reaching 5,17,877 in the 216 affected countries and territories, according to the latest update from the World Health Organization (WHO).
Globally, American region continued to be the worst-hit with 54,45,710 confirmed cases and 2,55,702 deaths. Europe came next with 27,37,869 confirmed cases and 1,98,945 deaths. Eastern Mediterranean region reported 11,15,561 confirmed cases and 26,028 deaths.
South-East Asia region’s tally stood at 8,60,785 confirmed cases and 23,240 deaths. Western Pacific region recorded 2,19,543 confirmed cases and 7,463 deaths and African region registered 3,29,796 confirmed cases and 6,486 deaths. WHO Risk Assessment at global level remained very high.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and WHO Regional Director for Europe Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge addressed the European Parliament Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety on the global response to COVID-19. “The EU is in a unique position to provide global leadership in defining the ‘new normal’ as part of the global recovery,” Dr Tedros said, though he cautioned parliamentarians that, globally, the situation “is still getting worse.”
The Regional Officer for the Americas/PAHO has released a report that presents an overview of PAHO’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It also provides an analysis of the epidemiological situation in the Americas and the impact of the spread of the virus on health systems in Latin America and the Caribbean.
WHO is working with the Kenyan Ministry of Health, and leveraging 21 community radio stations throughout the country to relay COVID-19 messages and conduct debates and discussions on the disease and its spread. “Community engagement is critical in this response,” says Dr Rudi Eggers, WHO Kenya Representative.
The United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Representative to Somalia, Mr James Swan, has called for continuing international support to the Somali government’s response to COVID-19and praised the efforts of frontline health care workers. (eom)
