From Our Bureau
19th MAY 2020
The Corona Virus (CPVID-19) pandemic situation remained grim globally, with the confirmed cases across the world soaring to 47,31,458 and the death toll reaching 3,16,169 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 in terms of fatalities with 19,09,592 confirmed cases and 1,67,998 deaths. American region came next with 20,82,945 confirmed cases and 1,24,668 deaths. Eastern Mediterranean region reported 3,56,749 confirmed cases and 10,149 deaths.
Western Pacific region’s tally stood at 1,69,178 confirmed cases and 6,765 deaths. South-East Asia region recorded 1,48,761 confirmed cases and 4,780 deaths and African region witnessed 63,521 confirmed cases and 1,796 deaths. WHO Risk Assessment at global level remained very high.
In his opening remarks at the World Health Assembly, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros declared: ‘We have come together as the nations of the world to confront the defining health crisis of our time.’ In conclusion, he asserted that “the COVID-19 pandemic reminds us that we need a healthier, safer and fairer world with a stronger WHO to support this goal.”
Countries around the world have put in place a range of public health and social measures to suppress or stop community spread of COVID-19. WHO has published a document to provide an overview of public health and social measures, and to propose strategies to limit any possible harm resulting from these interventions.
A new WHO report on the health behaviours of 11–15-year-olds in Europe reveals more adolescents have been reporting mental health concerns. The results were based on data between 2014 and 2018 and provide a baseline against which future studies can measure the impact of COVID-19 on young people’s lives.
The WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific has released a timeline outlining some of the key moments and actions to respond to COVID-19 in the Region. (eom)
