From Our Bureau
22nd MAY 2020
The Corona Virus (CPVID-19) pandemic situation remained grim globally, with the confirmed cases across the world soaring to 49,93,470 and the death toll reaching 3,27,738 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 19,66,244 confirmed cases and 1,71,327 deaths. American region came next with 22,20,267 confirmed cases and 1,31,605 deaths. Eastern Mediterranean region reported 3,89,588 confirmed cases and 10,648 deaths.
Western Pacific region’s tally stood at 1,71,748 confirmed cases and 6,817 deaths. South-East Asia region recorded 1,73,159 confirmed cases and 5,347 deaths and African region witnessed 71,752 confirmed cases and 1,981 deaths. WHO Risk Assessment at global level remained very high.
WHO and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) joined forces to improve health services for refugees, displaced and stateless people. WHO and UNHCR signed a new agreement to strengthen and advance public health services for the millions of displaced people around the world. A key aim this year will be to support ongoing efforts to protect some 70 million displaced people due to COVID-19.
WHO has supported the Smithsonian Science Education Center and InterAcademy Partnership to launch a new COVID-19 rapid-response guide for young people aged 8–17 years, titled “COVID19! How can I protect myself and others?”. The guide, which is based on the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, aims to help young people understand the science and social science of COVID-19 as well as help them take action to keep themselves, their families and communities safe.
WHO has launched a new search feature for questions on COVID-19. WHO’s COVID-19 webpage now features an enhanced natural language processing search bar, which understands questions posed in everyday language and more accurately delivers answers to those queries.
WHO and partners have produced guidance on laboratory biosafety related to the testing of clinical specimens and guidance on the repatriation of COVID-19 human remains by air. (eom)
