From Our Bureau
22ND JULY 2020
The Corona Virus (COVID-19) pandemic situation remained grim globally, with the confirmed cases across the world soaring to 1,47,65,256 and the death toll rising to 6,12,054 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 78,11,127 confirmed cases and 3,13,809 deaths. Europe came next with 31,24,701 confirmed cases and 2,08,469 deaths. South-East Asia region’s tally stood at 15,20,780 confirmed cases and 35,891 deaths.
Eastern Mediterranean region reported 14,14,462 confirmed cases and 35,628 deaths. African region registered 6,23,851 confirmed cases and 10,157 deaths. Western Pacific region recorded 2,69,594 confirmed cases and 8,087 deaths. WHO Risk Assessment at global level remained very high.
Approximately one-third of people in the Americas are at increased risk of developing severe COVID-19 illness due to underlying health conditions. To help confront this, the WHO Regional Office of the Americas/PAHO, in partnership with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, have developed a new data model that provides a more accurate picture of the prevalence of underlying health conditions in the Americas.
WHO works with the Ministry of Health and Medical Education to serve the people of Islamic Republic of Iran to deliver vital equipment and medicines, train health workers and raise awareness in communities across the country. Computed Tomography (CT) scanning is a key component of clinical diagnosis of COVID-19 patients. WHO has delivered 16 CT scan machines to strengthen the Islamic Republic of Iran’s emergency response to COVID-19.
WHO has chronicled the experience of Dr Altynai Karakhoishiyeva, an obstetrician-gynecologist working in Municipal Maternity Hospital No. 1 in Almaty, Kazakhstan. She has worked at this hospital throughout the pandemic, when it became a place of quarantine for pregnant women suspected of having COVID-19.
WHO is helping redesign hospitals to ensure and optimise mitigation measures against COVID-19. In Italy, WHO is providing advice on how to create alternative routes in hospitals for confirmed and suspected cases of COVID-19 as well as how to ensure better spacing in waiting rooms and improve ventilation in order to minimise spread of the virus in health care settings. (eom)
