From Our Bureau
7TH JUNE 2020
The Corona Virus (COVID-19) pandemic situation remained grim globally, with the confirmed cases across the world soaring to 67,99,713 and the death toll reaching 3,97,388 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 22,68,311 confirmed cases and 1,83,732 deaths. American region came next with 32,34,875 confirmed cases and 1,79,394 deaths. Eastern Mediterranean region reported 6,23,684 confirmed cases and 14,326 deaths.
Western Pacific region’s tally stood at 1,90,236 confirmed cases and 7,103 deaths. South-East Asia region recorded 3,50,542 confirmed cases and 9,672 deaths and African region witnessed 1,31,324 confirmed cases and 3,148 deaths. WHO Risk Assessment at global level remained very high.
A joint task force has been established by the WHO Regional Office for Europe and the Central European Initiative to strengthen regional coordination for the COVID-19 response and mitigate the impact of the pandemic. The task force will serve as a strategic platform for updating member states, exchanging information, and sharing experiences, best practices and training.
This year on World Food Safety Day on 7th June, the WHO Regional Office for Europe has reminded everyone of the Five Keys to Safer Food, which are basic principles that each individual should know to prevent foodborne diseases, some of which (such as hand-washing) also offer protection from COVID-19.
The WHO Regional Office for the Americas stated that traditional markets, particularly those which sell live animals, may represent a risk of transmission of diseases between animals and humans (zoonotic diseases), and that appropriate regulations and inspections for the production and sale of live animals are needed to prevent the spread of emerging diseases. (eom)
