Utilise ‘lockdown’ period to attack COVID-19 – WHO
─2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games postponed
DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, March 25, 2020
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has called on countries who have introduced “lockdown” measures to use this time to attack transmission of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)
During a media briefing, today WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted that the lockdown creates a second window of opportunity for them to stop the spread of the virus. He shared six steps the WHO recommends,
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
“First, expand, train and deploy your health care and public health workforce. Second, implement a system to find every suspected case at the community level. Third, ramp up the production, capacity and availability of testing and Fourth, identify, adapt and equip facilities you will use to treat and isolate patients,” Dr. Ghebreyesus outlined
The Fifth step is to develop a clear plan and process to quarantine contacts and the Sixth is to refocus the whole of government on suppressing and controlling COVID-19.
These measures Dr Ghebreyesus said were the best way to suppress and stop transmission so when restrictions are lifted, there is not a resurgence of the virus.
The Director-General also disclosed that it was decided to postpone the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The International Olympic Committee in collaboration with the Government of Japan took the difficult but necessary decision to postpone this year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games.
In response to the announcement, Dr. Ghebreyesus thanked the Prime Minister of Japan, the Hon. Shinzo Abe and the members of the IOC for making this sacrifice to protect the health of athletes, spectators and officials.
“We look forward to next year’s Olympics and Paralympics, which we hope will be an even bigger and better celebration of our shared humanity – and I look forward to joining.”
Thus far, globally, over 18, 000 lives have been lost to COVID-19.
“We know we will lose more – how many more will be determined by the decisions we make and the actions we take now.” Dr. Ghebreyesus remarked. “We have overcome many pandemics and crises before. We will overcome this one too.”