makeup brief Research report on the topic covid-19 with following sub heading. •. Geographical spread of virus
Answers
Explanation:
HIGHLIGHTS
• Nine new Member States (Brazil, Denmark, Estonia, Georgia, Greece, Norway,
Pakistan, Romania, and North Macedonia) reported cases of COVID-19 in the
past 24 hours.
• WHO and the World Tourism Organization released a joint statement
regarding responsibility and coordination on tourism and COVID-19. For more
information, please visit this webpage.
• OpenWHO, a web-based learning platform, has launched the free online
courses Introduction to Emerging Respiratory Viruses, Including Novel
Coronovirus, in Portuguese and Health and Safety Briefing for Respiratory
Diseases – ePROTECT in French today.
• WHO is utilizing an international network of expert laboratories to provide
support in the detection of the COVID-19 virus globally. For more information,
please see the Subject in Focus below.
SITUATION IN FOCUS: Laboratory Network and Detection
On 9 January 2020, WHO published interim laboratory guidance for detection of the novel coronavirus. This
guidance is continually updated as more data becomes available and includes advice on sample collection, diagnostic
testing, and pathogen characterization. Specific interim guidance on biosafety in the laboratory has also been
published. An update to the guidance for the international shipment of specimens will follow soon. WHO is utilizing
an international network of expert laboratories to provide support in the detection of the COVID-19 virus globally.
The diagnostic landscape of this outbreak is changing quickly. The first COVID-19 cases were detected using genomic
sequencing, but multiple RT-PCR commercial and non-commercial assays have since been developed. As the
international case load increases, there is an urgent need to rapidly scale up diagnostic capacity to detect and
confirm cases of COVID-19. WHO has taken a three-pronged approach to enhance global diagnostic capacity for the
COVID-19 virus:
1) Developing a WHO network of 15 COVID-19 reference laboratories with demonstrated expertise in the
molecular detection of coronaviruses. These international laboratories can support national labs to confirm
the COVID-19 virus and troubleshoot their molecular assays.
2) Strengthening national capacity for detection of the COVID-19 virus so that diagnostic testing can be
performed rapidly without the need for overseas shipping. Existing global networks for detection of
respiratory pathogens are being utilized including, notably, the National Influenza Centers that support the
Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System.
3) Ensuring ongoing test availability. WHO has procured a commercial assay (manufactured under ISO:13485)
with strong performance data and shipped to over 150 laboratories globally as an interim measure for member States requesting support. The main goal is to strengthen global diagnostic capacity for detection of the COVID-19 virus. Support is now also provided to ensure the quality of testing through the
implementation of an External Quality Assurance mechanism.
Public health efforts are targeted at both interrupting further transmission and monitoring the spread of COVID-19.
As reports of asymptomatic cases increase, the need for reliable serology testing is becoming more urgent. There are
a number of groups working on this and developments are being monitored.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
WHO’s strategic objectives for this response are to:
• Interrupt human-to-human transmission including reducing secondary infections among close contacts
and health care workers, preventing transmission amplification events, and preventing further
international spread*;
• Identify, isolate and care for patients early, including providing optimized care for infected patients;
• Identify and reduce transmission from the animal source;
• Address crucial unknowns regarding clinical severity, extent of transmission and infection, treatment
options, and accelerate the development of diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines;
• Communicate critical risk and event information to all communities and counter misinformation;
• Minimize social and economic impact through multisectoral partnerships.