World Health Organization

Putin shows his chest for his Covid vaccine and offers it free to the UN

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The President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, He put his chest out before the UN on Tuesday for the rapid development in his country of a coronavirus vaccine and offered it free of charge to the organization to protect all its employees.

In his video message to the General Assembly, Putin He pointed out that his Government is ready to offer the United Nations all the necessary assistance, which includes free vaccination for all staff who want it.

He also said thatYour country is open to supply other nations with the so-called “Spútnik V”, which, as he highlighted, has been proven “safe” and “effective.”

Putin insisted that citizens around the world should have free access to a Covid-19 vaccine and He also underlined the Kremlin’s willingness to work with other governments to share diagnostic methods. and treatment of the disease.

In addition, in contrast to the United States, he defended that the World Health Organization (WHO) should have a central role in coordinating the response and said that Russia is working to strengthen the capacity of the Geneva-based entity.

On the other hand, Putin warned of the long-term economic effects that the current crisis will have and defended the need for the entire international community to work board to drive growth.

In this context, he stressed the importance of eliminating barriers, restrictions and, above all, “illegitimate sanctions” in international trade.

In the geopolitical and military sphere, the Russian leader He assured that he wants to cooperate with the United States to extend the strategic arms reduction treaty and hoped that there will be “restraint” when it comes to deploying new missile systems.

Too reiterated interest in a binding treaty to ban weapons in outer space and opted for more cooperation in cybersecurity.

Coinciding with the 75th anniversary of the United Nations, Putin defended the work of the organization and, although he recognized that it is necessary to adapt it to the reality of the 21st century, he made it clear that his country opposes major changes in the Security Council, where it is one of the five permanent members and has veto power.

According to him, for the Council to continue being the “pillar of global governance” it is essential that these five countries, nuclear powers and victors of World War II, retain the privilege of the veto.

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Science: Coronavirus: World Health Organization (WHO) insists on no health

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The director general of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, recalled through his social networks the recommendation he made last March to avoid the greeting with the elbow because it does not allow a prudent distance between people for him .

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As indicated by the media “” of Spain, CEO Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated on his Twitter account on March 7 that he preferred to put his hand on his heart.

“When greeting people, it is best to avoid bumping your elbow because you are putting yourself less than a meter away from the other person. I like to put my hand on my heart to greet people these days”, Recommended the official in social networks.

This recommendation was added to that of washing hands frequently and staying home if the person was ill.

On Sunday, September 13, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus retweeted the economist’s post Diana Ortega in which it refers to this vital recommendation of the WHO to avoid saluting each other during the pandemic.

“The #WHO advises against saluting with the elbow: it is best to put your hand to your heart. The director of the WHO, @DrTedros, rejects this greeting because the safety distance is not kept and there may be transmission of the virus through the skin”.

The pandemic again coronavirus It has caused at least 929,391 deaths in the world since the WHO office in China reported the appearance of the disease in December, according to a balance established by AFP on Tuesday based on official sources.

Since the beginning of the epidemic, more than 29,329,390 people have contracted the disease. Of these, at least 19,536,900 were recovered, according to authorities.

On Monday, 4,433 new deaths and 269,352 infections were registered in the world. The countries that registered the most deaths according to the latest official balances are India with 1,054, the United States (410) and Brazil (381).

The number of deaths in the United States amounts to 194,545 with 6,555,243 infections. The authorities consider that 2,474,570 people were healed.

After U.S, the countries with the most fatalities are Brazil with 132,006 deaths and 4,345,610 cases, India with 80,776 deaths (4,930,236 cases), Mexico with 71,049 deaths (671,716 cases) and UK with 41,637 deaths (371,125 cases).

Source: With information from AFP

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Newly confirmed cases of covid again broke the record, there are 701 of them on Wednesday evening – ČT24 – Česká televize

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A total of 30,576 people have become infected in the Czech Republic in more than half a year since the first confirmed cases of covid-19, of which over 20,000 have been cured and 444 have died. The number of currently ill patients, ie the number of confirmed cases of the disease after deducting those cured and the dead, has been steadily growing since about mid-July, when there were over two thousand. Last week, infected gains were repeatedly at record levels.

The number of people who need to be treated in hospital for covid-19 is also gradually increasing. In the last fortnight, the number of hospitalized has increased by a hundred, and the number of patients in serious condition has almost doubled.

Babiš: People positive for covid could report contacts themselves

On Wednesday morning, before leaving for Vienna, at a meeting with his Austrian and Slovak counterparts, Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO) announced that a project of so-called self-dumping was being prepared. Thanks to him, people positive for covid-19 would fill out a form on the web with their contacts from recent days.

“A self-dumping project is being prepared, where people who receive a message from the laboratory that they are positive would fill in the form and the contacts in the application on the web, and then it would be easier for hygiene,” said the prime minister.

The Czech branch of the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned the country did not limit the tracing of infected contacts to those with symptoms or severe course of infection, but to increase capacity. The prime minister rejected the criticism and told the organization to keep quiet. Minister of Health Vojtěch emphasized that the Czechia will not stop tracing, but he wants to change and make the system more efficient.

At the end of August, Chief Hygienist Jarmila Rážová told Czech Television that hygienists were prosecuting up to four hundred new cases of coronavirus infection per day. After strengthening the hygienic stations and the involvement of medics and thanks operation of information line 1221, which has been running since September 1, estimated that 750 new infections should be traced daily. Experts from the Ministry of Health are now discussing the change in tracing, and the conclusions should be published by Friday.

In Prague, the virus is spreading in the community

According to chief hygienist Jarmila Rážová, most districts will move to a green map on the map this week, according to the risk of infection. This color indicates a district with an increased incidence of covid-19. The so-called traffic light hygienists update every Friday.

So far, there were only ten green districts on it, Prague was the only one in orange as the most important local outbreak of covid-19 in the Czech Republic.

According to epidemiologists, the situation with the occurrence of coronavirus is the worst in the capital. According to the Ministry of Health, community transmission has begun in the metropolis, and measures against the spread of coronavirus have been tightened there since Wednesday. The shops and shopping centers can be re-entered only with the mouth and nose covered. Catering facilities must be closed between midnight and 06:00.

The most significant relative increase in the number of people infected in the last seven days is now in the Pelhřimov region, where there are 102 cases of covid-19 per 100,000 inhabitants. The infection was confirmed, among other things, in a home for the elderly in Humpolec. Fifteen soldiers have been helping with the care of the elderly at the request of the region since Wednesday.

Prague and the Plzeň-jih district have over 88 infected people per hundred thousand inhabitants in seven days. The director of the Regional Hygiene Station in Pilsen, Přemysl Tomašuk, announced extraordinary measures on Tuesday in Nová Ves in the Pilsen region due to the increased incidence of covid-19 disease. People have to wear masks or respirators in public areas since Wednesday, they have to keep their distance, they are not allowed to gather. The restaurant and the municipal office have closed to the public, cultural, social and sports events and private celebrations are not allowed.

From September 1, it is valid throughout the country to have a covered mouth and nose in public transport, in offices and in medical and social facilities.

In the evening, the government will discuss the distribution of respirators to seniors

The government is preparing a concrete decision regarding the possible distribution of respirators to seniors. She should talk about it on Wednesday evening after returning to the interrupted meeting on the rules of the Kurarbeit. Before leaving for Vienna to negotiate with his Austrian and Slovak counterparts, Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (YES) said so. During a meeting of the cabinet on Monday, he announced that in the event of a significant deterioration of the coronavirus situation, the government will deliver respirators to the seniors via the Czech Post within three days.

On Wednesday, the Prime Minister spoke with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior Jan Hamáček (CSSD). “We will discuss it in the evening in the government and we are preparing some concrete decision of the government in this direction,” Babiš said. According to him, the cabinet dealt only with logistics on Monday. Originally, Babiš announced last week that he would propose to the government that the state distribute respirators and drapes from its supplies to roughly three million pensioners.

According to the Statistical Office, around 2.13 million people over the age of 65 live in the Czech Republic. 1.45 million men and women are over 70 years old. About 2.4 million people receive a retirement pension. 2.98 million adults and children receive old-age, disability and survivors’ pensions from the Czech Social Security Administration (CSSA). About 904,200 pensions are delivered by the post office, 1.95 million pensions are sent to a bank account and 28,100 pensions are paid to nursing homes and other facilities.

According to Babiš, the state now has about 13 million FFP2 respirators and 75 million veils in stock and ordered. According to an earlier statement by Deputy Prime Minister Jan Hamáček (ČSSD), the Ministry of the Interior has secured 70 million veils and eight million FFP2 respirators, which are in the police warehouse in Opočínek near Pardubice.

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Raising “Taiwan”, Shrinking the “Republic of China”

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TAIPEI, KOMPAS.com – Officials Taiwan announced design changes passport thus making the word “Taiwan” bigger while shrinking the sentence “Republic China“.

Authorities say the new design aims to stop confusion between Taiwanese and Chinese.

Many in Taiwan view the region as an independent state, however China sees the island as a province.

China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman said the change in passport design would not turn Taiwan into an “inseparable part of China”.

Taiwanese officials released the new passport at a ceremony, Wednesday (9/2/2020).

Also read: Fed up with China, Taiwan will redesign its passport

The inscription “Republic of China” will be moved from the top of the cover around the national emblem, in lower case letters. Meanwhile, the words “Taiwan” will be enlarged and bolded.

“Since the start of the pandemic corona virus“Our people continue to hope that we can further accentuate the appearance of ‘Taiwan’, so that people don’t think that these passport holders are from China,” Taiwan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs (Menlu), Joseph Wu, told the media.

As countries impose restrictions on foreign travel as a measure to control the outbreak, they are also imposing restrictions on visits from Taiwan who are likened to China, local authorities said.

The spread of Covid-19 has brought the debate about Taiwan back to prominence.

Although it has earned international acclaim for dealing with the health crisis, Taiwan is not a member of the World Health Organization ( WHO). China has not allowed Taiwan to participate in WHO meetings since 2016.

Also read: Taiwan: China’s military is getting stronger, but …

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New Taiwan Passport Design: Raising “Taiwan”, Shrinking “Republic of China” page all

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TAIPEI, KOMPAS.com – Officials Taiwan announced design changes passport thus making the word “Taiwan” bigger while shrinking the sentence “Republic China“.

Authorities say the new design aims to stop confusion between Taiwanese and Chinese.

Many in Taiwan view the region as an independent state, however China sees the island as a province.

China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman said the change in passport design would not turn Taiwan into an “inseparable part of China”.

Taiwanese officials released the new passport at a ceremony, Wednesday (9/2/2020).

Also read: Fed up with China, Taiwan will redesign its passport

The inscription “Republic of China” will be moved from the top of the cover around the national emblem, in lower case letters. Meanwhile, the words “Taiwan” will be enlarged and bolded.

“Since the start of the pandemic corona virus“Our people continue to hope that we can further accentuate the appearance of ‘Taiwan’, so that people don’t think that these passport holders are from China,” Taiwan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs (Menlu), Joseph Wu, told the media.

As countries impose restrictions on foreign travel as a measure to control the outbreak, they are also imposing restrictions on visits from Taiwan who are likened to China, local authorities said.

The spread of Covid-19 has brought the debate about Taiwan back to prominence.

Although it has earned international acclaim for dealing with the health crisis, Taiwan is not a member of the World Health Organization ( WHO). China has not allowed Taiwan to participate in WHO meetings since 2016.

Also read: Taiwan: China’s military is getting stronger, but …

Taiwan has been self-governing since 1949, starting when millions of supporters of the Kuomintang Party (KMT) were led Chiang Kai-shek fled to an island in what is now Taiwan after losing a civil war against the led Communist Party Mao Zedong.

Since then, Taiwan has had a democratic system of government elections, and has had its own military and currency.

But under the One China policy, the government in Beijing insisted on being the ruler of Taiwan. The policy says one day, the region will come under his leadership again – by force if needed.

Several countries diplomatically recognize Taiwan as a sovereign country. But China will be outraged when countries, leaders or businessmen suggest similar things.

Milos Vystrcil, chairman of the Senate of the Czech Republic, visited Taiwan on Tuesday (1/9/2020). He gave a speech in parliament announcing his support, declaring “I am Taiwanese” – which was inspired by the President’s famous speech. AS John F Kennedy “I’m a Berliner” pada 1963.

Also read: Threatened by China, Czech Senate Chief: I am a Taiwanese

China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, condemned the move and said Vystrcil had “crossed the red line”. Wang also said that Vystrcil would “pay dearly”

This happened just weeks after the cabinet members United States of America (USA), Alex Azar, visited Taiwan and met the President Tsai Ing-wen.

The minister of health and humanitarian services is the highest-ranking US politician to meet Taiwan’s No. 1 person over the past decades.

“China is firmly against any form of official relations between the United States and Taiwan,” said a spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs when Alex Azar visited Taiwan.

“We urge the US … not to send the wrong signals to elements of ‘Taiwan independence’ in order to avoid further damage to Sino-US relations”.

Also read: Condemned by China for Officials Visiting Taiwan, Czech Foreign Minister: Too much

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COVID-19 may erase decades of health care advances: WHO

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Two people wear masks at a community workstation in Paris. August 31, 2020. REUTERS / Christian Hartmann

GENEVA, Aug 31 (Reuters) – More than 90% of countries have seen ordinary health services disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving decades-long healthcare advances vulnerable to disappearing in a short time. period, showed a survey by the World Health Organization.

The Geneva-based body has frequently warned of other vital programs that have been affected by the pandemic and sent mitigation advice to countries, but the survey yielded the first WHO data so far on the scale of the disruptions. .

“The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on essential health services is a source of great concern,” the agency said in a report on the study released Monday. “The main advances in health achieved in the last two decades can disappear in a short period of time (…)”.

The survey includes responses from May to July from more than 100 countries. Routine immunizations (70%), family planning (68%), and cancer diagnosis and treatment (55%) are among the most affected services, while emergency services were disrupted in nearly a quarter of the countries that responded.

The eastern Mediterranean region, which includes Afghanistan, Syria and Yemen, was hit the hardest, followed by regions in Africa and Southeast Asia, it showed. America was not part of the survey.

Since COVID-19 cases were first identified in December last year, the virus is believed to have killed nearly 850,000 people, according to the latest Reuters tally.

Reporting by Emma Farge. Edited in Spanish by Gabriela Donoso

Our Standards:The Thomson Reuters principles

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Covid-19: what do we know today about the transmission of the virus by aerosols in confined spaces?

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Question asked by BARALE on 08/22/2020

Hello,

The start of the school year is masked, In the enterprises as in classrooms. Before these decisions were made, one could read, in Libé on August 14, a forum of a collective of “health professionals” (“Covid-19: the risk exists in all enclosed places, in classrooms as well as in offices”) : “We affirm it without ambiguity: Sars-CoV-2 is transmitted through the air and does not make the mask compulsory in classrooms or amphitheatres, in open spaces, meeting rooms, workshops and shared offices does not comply with science and WHO data. ”

In the light of these very affirmative lines, you ask us about the state of science about the transmission of the virus in the air. There is in fact no consensus on the circulation of Covid-19, from one individual to another in the general population, via “aerosols”, these microdroplets which remain in suspension and which could be vectors of active virus. and infectious.

Two doctors, authors of the forum, recognize from CheckNews that the wording “without ambiguity: Sars-CoV-2 is transmitted through the air ” is not ideal. But that it responds to a precautionary principle: there is a risk that airborne transmission exists, including outside hospitals or laboratories (where it has been documented).

You also asked us Is wearing a mask outside useful?

Warning from scientists

At the beginning of july, 239 scientists from 30 countries warn about the aerosol distribution of the virus. Addressing international health institutions (including the WHO) and national, they recommend great vigilance regarding the transmission of the virus by microdroplets: “Of course, aerosol transmission of Sars-CoV-2 is not yet universally recognized; but, according to our collective assessment, there is sufficient evidence that the precautionary principle should apply. In order to control the pandemic, while waiting for the possibility of vaccination, all transmission routes must be cut off. ”

Several articles or forums have been devoted to the impact of this publication on the authorities (in French, in English). In France, the Director General of Health, Jérôme Salomon, approached the High Council for Public Health. The HCSP had already expressed itself on the subject in a notice published on April 8 (and to a lesser extent in a notice published on April 24).

In this April text, we read in particular: “Aerosol transmission is biologically plausible when (1) infectious aerosols are generated by or from an infectious person, (2) the pathogen remains viable in the environment for a period of time, and (3) tissues targets in which the pathogen initiates infection are accessible by aerosol. […] For Sars-CoV, the level of evidence for aerosol transmission indicates that the evidence for conditions 1 and 3 is moderate and strong for condition 2. “

CheckNews also made a point on the state of science regarding aerosolization at the beginning of April. In an article published in May on the circulation (or not) of the new coronavirus in air conditioning, we also wrote: “Although it is possible for smaller virus particles to remain suspended in the air (this is called an aerosol), an infection requires that a sufficiently large number of active copies of the virus enter the body: this is the infectious dose. In the vast majority of situations, wind, drafts and ventilation reduce the concentration of viruses in the air, which significantly lowers the risk of infection. On the other hand, a greater risk seems to exist in intensive care situations, in premises where caregivers remove their protection and in hospital toilets. “

Opinion of the High Council for Public Health

After a request from the DGS, the HCSP therefore produced a new opinion, dated July 23: “Sars-CoV-2: updating of knowledge on the transmission of the virus by aerosols.” Conclusion ? “The HCSP considers that after updating the data in the literature, airborne transmission of the Sars-CoV-2 virus should be considered in enclosed spaces, in particular poorly ventilated and insufficiently ventilated, and in outdoor gatherings.” And to urge the public to wear a mask “In all enclosed public and private collective places as well as in the event of a gathering with a high density of people outdoors in order to limit the emission of respiratory particles.”

More specifically, the High Council cites several scientific studies published in recent weeks on the subject. One, published in early April in Nature concludes that “Aerosol transmission is a potential mode of transmission of coronaviruses, such as influenza and rhinoviruses.” The results ofanother, published in June 2020 from laboratory experiments, suggest that the“Infectivity and virionic integrity [du Sars-CoV-2] can be kept for up to 16 hours in aerosols of a breathable size ”.

The HCSP also refers to a literature review produced by the Canadian National Collaborating Center for Environmental Health (funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada) regarding “Risks and precautions associated with Covid-19” as part of choral singing. The CCNSEA notes in particular that “More and more, it is believed that transmission by small droplets or by aerosols produced during speaking, singing, shouting or breathing is a major route of contagion. […] Aerosol transmission could occur in contexts where particles accumulate in closed, unventilated rooms where many people are gathered for a long period ”. In the opinion of the HCSP, some case studies follow which have “Describes the occurrence of contamination by the Sars-CoV-2 virus of people gathered in confined spaces”.

In the laboratory, in the hospital, in general

In this opinion, the HCSP therefore identifies studies that point in the same direction: airborne transmission of Sars-CoV-2 is possible. But it is not possible in the same proportions, depending on the situation.

Thus, the High Council writes “take into account” two elements. First, the open letter from scientists mentioned at the beginning of the article. Didier Lepelletier, co-chair of the HCSP Covid-19 permanent working group, points out that this letter was written by physicists, “Who believe that the dichotomy between droplet and microdroplet [aérosol] is irrelevant, for them everything is aerosol ”. What’s more, continues the head of the Bacteriology – Hospital Hygiene Department of the Nantes University Hospital: these physicists “Are based on models, for example in the laboratory, which for some have suggested that the virus could circulate in the form of aerosols”.

Second element considered by the HCSP for its opinion this summer: a position statement from the beginning of July from the WHO. It is fully readable (and in English), or in summary form (in English), tells us the World Health Organization.

“Is the virus spread by aerosols?” wonders the WHO, which distinguishes two cases. On the one hand, in a healthcare setting: “Some medical procedures can produce very small droplets that can stay airborne for longer periods. [par exemple une intubation ou une extubation]. When such medical procedures are performed on people infected with Covid-19 in healthcare facilities, these aerosols may contain the Covid-19 virus. These aerosols can potentially be inhaled by other people if they are not wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment. ”

Another scenario, in the general population (excluding hospitals): “Cases of Covid-19 have been reported in some closed places, such as restaurants, nightclubs, places of worship or workplaces where people can shout, talk or sing. In these cases, aerosol transmission, especially in those closed places where there are overcrowded and insufficiently ventilated spaces where infected people spend long periods with other people, cannot be excluded. ” And the WHO to insist (like the HCSP): “Further studies are urgently needed to study these cases and assess their importance for the transmission of Covid-19.”

Less contagious than chickenpox

“There is never only one mode of transmission of a virus, recalls Didier Lepelletier, but there is always a preferential mode. “ It can be hand-carried, or aerial for example. And among the modes of aerial transmission, there are therefore, schematically, droplets and aerosols. In the current state of knowledge (and for several weeks), “Droplets are a preferential mode of transmission over aerosols”, observes the member of the HCSP.

Several scientists contacted believe that if aerosols were the main vector of Sars-CoV-2, the R0 (initial reproduction number) would be much higher. As it is, for example, for pulmonary tuberculosis or chickenpox (which are transmitted by aerosol). Whose R0 fluctuates around 10 (much more than for Covid-19).

In a recent study published in the British Medical Journal, the authors find that the risk that a person without symptoms (but who can, for example, emit aerosols just by breathing or talking) contaminates those around them depends on the density of people, their activity and ventilation. This is in line with what the High Council expressed in its opinion of 23 July, according to which “Three favorable conditions are to be remembered concerning the transmission of the virus: the conditions of ventilation and air flow; atmospheric conditions (low temperature, humidity); physical activities and efforts practiced in confined spaces ”.

It should be noted that neither the HCSP, nor the WHO (nor the signatories of the forum cited above) explicitly recommend wearing a mask outside of these situations (for example in general, in the street). Still, specialists in these subjects would like to see studies develop to better understand the modes of transmission of this virus.

In summary : aerosols do not appear to be the preferred mode of transmission on Sars-CoV-2. However, certain observations in hospitals or in laboratories suggest that there may be airborne transmission, without there being a consensus on the risk or the probability of it occurring. In the general population, there is no proof or scientific measurement of the risk of airborne transmission, but this risk is probable according to the scientific community, and it is all the more important in poorly ventilated environments or outdoors in the event of large gatherings. Hence an incentive, under these conditions, to wear the mask in a closed environment, under the precautionary principle.


Fabien Leboucq

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News: Coronavirus LIVE | COVID-19 news in the world | Cases and deaths

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The world’s struggle to stop of received a setback on Monday. Hong Kong researchers claimed to have discovered the world’s first proven case of covid-19 reinfection, a disease that has already caused more than 810,000 deaths worldwide.

“This case shows that it is possible to get reinfected only a few months after having cured of a first infection,” the department of microbiology at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) said in a statement.

The patient tested positive for the first time on March 26, and after testing negative, he tested positive again on August 15 when he was returning from a trip to Spain via the United Kingdom.

Coronavirus LIVE | Minute by minute

Some scientists came up with this case and asked for caution.

”It is difficult to draw definitive conclusions from a single case. Considering the number of infections in the world, seeing a case of reinfection is not so surprising, “said Dr. Jeffrey Barrett, of the Wellcome Sanger Institute, in the United Kingdom, quoted by the British organization Science Media Center.

“It is not a reason to be alarmed: this illustrates wonderfully how immunity can work,” said Dr. Akiko Iwasaki, an immunity specialist at Yale University (United States), on Twitter.

– Plasma treatment –

In the absence of a vaccine to protect the population from the coronavirus, the United States announced an emergency authorization to use plasma from patients recovered from covid-19 to treat the disease.

The United States is by far the country hardest hit in absolute terms by the pandemic, with more than 177,000 deaths and 5.7 million infections, so the government of Donald Trump is under enormous pressure to flatten the contagion curve in the face of the presidential elections in November.

The plasma treatment shows “an incredible success rate” and “will save countless lives,” Trump claimed Sunday, far more exultant than his own health officials, who were far more cautious.

Plasma is believed to contain powerful antibodies that can help fight COVID-19 more quickly, and it has already been used in patients in the United States and other countries, but experts still dispute its efficacy, with some warning that it could produce effects. secondary.

– New measures –

Many governments are redoubling efforts, including with new confinements, to contain the spread of the coronavirus, which infected more than 23.5 million people in the world.

Until an effective treatment or vaccine is found, social distancing remains one of the most effective weapons against the virus.

Latin America, with almost 260,000 deaths and more than 6.7 million infections, is the most affected region.

Paraguay, which announced the resumption of flights between Asunción and Montevideo, imposed new measures in its capital that include a curfew, mandatory chinstrap in closed places and limitation of activities in open spaces, in the face of a skyrocketing number of cases.

Argentina surpassed 7,000 deaths from covid-19 on Monday after registering 381 deaths in one day, the record in the South American country, which from Wednesday will organize the famous tango world cup virtually.

The president of Colombia, the fourth country in the region in the number of infections and deaths behind Peru, Mexico and Brazil, announced that a new phase against the pandemic will begin in September with “specific restrictions” and reactivation of more economic sectors, given the downward trend in infections.

In Europe, summer vacation returns are a source of contagion in countries such as Italy, Spain, France and Germany, at a time when the region is preparing for the start of the new school year.

In this context, measures had to be tightened, with new border restrictions, in the face of new outbreaks.

Tight border controls went into effect in Finland, allowing people from just a handful of countries to enter.

Norway had already tightened controls at the border on Saturday, while South Korea reimposed distancing measures to combat the latest outbreak.

Indonesia, for its part, banned the arrival of foreign tourists to Bali for the remainder of 2020, scuttling plans to reopen the island next month.

And New Zealand, a country known for its skillful handling of the pandemic, extended the lockdown in Aukland on Monday, in an effort to control a persistent outbreak of coronavirus.

– Life turned upside down –

The pandemic has devastated the global economy and affected everything from sports to religious services, culture and elections.

The impact on tourism is evident around the world and the professional association ABTA announced this Monday in London the loss of more than 90,000 jobs in the sector in the United Kingdom.

It also caused the postponement of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games to next year, and the president of the International Paralympic Committee, Andrew Parsons, said in an interview with AFP that for the games to take place, a guarantee of zero is required. cases.

Source: AFP

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Because of Corona … global health changes the “state of emergency” forever

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Corona Virus Novel on January 30, at which time the disease was attacking Respiratory system It has infected fewer than 100 people outside China, and has not caused any deaths outside its borders.

But in light of the current International Health Regulations that govern preparedness and response to health emergencies, there are no low and medium levels of warning under a full health emergency, whether at the global or regional level.

واجهت World Health Organization Accusations, especially from WashingtonShe misbehaved about the pandemic, and that she waited too long for the alarm to sound.

The WHO experts met on January 22 and 23, but at that point they did not conclude that The epidemic He deserves the highest alert for a complete public health emergency.

Said Director-General of the World Health Organization Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus At a press conference, Thursday, the COVID-19 pandemic was “A critical test” For countries as well as international health regulations.

Tedros said the WHO will now set up a panel of independent experts to review the global regulations to see if any changes should be made.

He added that even before the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, emergencies such as an outbreak had been exposed Ebola virus In the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, about defects in the International Health Regulations.

Tedros said such contingencies showed that “Some elements of the International Health Regulations may need revision – including the binary nature of the (alert) mechanism.”According to what was quoted “France Brush”.

Several countries called for a more accurate system, for example with 3 levels of alert, instead of two levels, or alerts at the regional level.

Tedros hopes that the committee will present a progress report to the World Health Assembly, the WHO’s decision-making body made up of member states, in November, and a full report to the assembly in May.

He said “WHO is committed to ending the pandemic, working with all countries to learn from it, and to ensuring that, together, we build the healthiest, safer and fairer world we want.”.

The committee is separate from the Independent Committee for Epidemic Preparedness and Response, and was created to assess the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Independent Committee for Epidemic Preparedness and Response is chaired by former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark and former President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

“>

The organization declared a “public health emergency of international concern” about Corona Virus Novel on January 30, at which time the disease was attacking Respiratory system It has infected fewer than 100 people outside China, and has not caused any deaths outside its borders.

But in light of the current International Health Regulations that govern preparedness and response to health emergencies, there are no low and medium levels of warning under a full health emergency, whether at the global or regional level.

واجهت World Health Organization Accusations, especially from WashingtonShe misbehaved about the pandemic, and that she waited too long for the alarm to sound.

The WHO experts met on January 22 and 23, but at that point they did not conclude that The epidemic He deserves the highest alert for a complete public health emergency.

Said Director-General of the World Health Organization Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus At a press conference, Thursday, the Covid-19 pandemic was a “critical test” for countries as well as for the International Health Regulations.

Tedros said the WHO will now set up a panel of independent experts to review the global regulations to see if any changes should be made.

He added that even before the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, emergencies such as an outbreak had been exposed Ebola virus In the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, about defects in the International Health Regulations.

Tedros said that such emergencies showed that “some elements of the International Health Regulations may need to be reviewed – including the bilateral nature of the (alert) mechanism,” according to “AFP.”

Several countries called for a more accurate system, for example with 3 levels of alert, instead of two levels, or alerts at the regional level.

Tedros hopes that the committee will present a progress report to the World Health Assembly, the WHO’s decision-making body made up of member states, in November, and a full report to the assembly in May.

He said, “The World Health Organization is committed to eradicating the pandemic, working with all countries to learn from it, and to ensuring that together we build the healthiest, safest and fairest world that we want.”

The committee is separate from the Independent Committee for Epidemic Preparedness and Response, and was created to assess the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Independent Committee for Epidemic Preparedness and Response is chaired by former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark and former President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

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WHO representative: Timely decisions allowed Latvia to limit the number of Covid-19 infected by about 50% – Abroad – News

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There are three factors in total, according to Tyren. The first is public confidence in politicians, because with the advent of Covid-19, people realized that something was really going on and they trusted the government, he said. Also, as the WHO representative points out, in Latvia the government is united and all ministers are involved in decision-making.

“It should also be noted here that Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš (JV) has succeeded in strengthening the unity of the Cabinet of Ministers, which has resulted in paying off with people’s trust in the government,” the WHO spokesman explained.

At the same time, the government also has more trust in society, which means that mutual trust has developed between decision-makers and citizens, Tiren is convinced.

At the same time, thanks to the approach of Kariņš’s government, decisions are based on expert opinions and statistics. “Although it is a very delicate approach, it worked in the case of Latvia,” Tiren added.

Therefore, now, according to the expert, when deciding on the operation of, for example, educational institutions, the government does not have to waste time reaching a consensus or convincing the population.

“In a pandemic, decision-making is the most important aspect,” Tiren said. Even a few days difference in decision-making is important in such circumstances, because summing up this extra time needed to make each decision, it can be concluded that a government with these three factors can take each decision about three times faster, he said.

Taking this into account, Latvia managed to reduce the number of infections by almost half compared to countries with similar conditions, says Tiren.

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