Transcripts For CSPAN2 World Health Organization Coronavirus

We have with this, the who director and also doctor mike ryan executive director and doctor maria. The doctor will begin with an update and then when finished, i will open the meeting to questions. If you can please ask your questions. If you can find a phone, please. I will apologize for now to all of those who missed out. We have more than 260 people in the line already. They are connecting and asking questions. So we have to restrict this briefing to an hour. So are speakers, who are all running responses they can get to many other demands of the time. I will now in the summer to doctor printed. Thank you. Good morning. Good afternoon. And good evening where are you are. The pandemic continues to take a massive toll not just on health but on so many parts of life. For making this sacrifice to protect the health of others we look forward to next years olympics which we hope will be an even bigger and better celebration of our shared humanity. And look forward to join. We have overcome many temp and chan pandemics and crises before. We will overcome this one too. The question is how large a price will be paid . Already, we have lost more than 16000 lives. We know we know we will lose more. How many more will be determined by the decisions we make and the actions we take now. To slow the spread of covid19, many countries have contributed or introduced unprecedented measures at significant social and Economic Costs. Closing schools, businesses, canceling sporting events, and asking people to stay home and stay safe. We understand that these countries are now trying to assess when and how they will be able to ease these measures. The answer depends on what countries do while this population wide measures are in place. Asking people to stay at home and shutting down Population Movement is buying time and reducing the pressure on Health Systems. But on their own, these measures will not exceed english epidemics. The point of these actions is to enable the more precise and targeted measures that are needed to stop transit content transmission and save lives. We call on all countries have introduced socalled lockdown measures to use this time to attack the virus. You have created a second window of opportunity, the question is how will you use it . There are six key actions that we recommend. First, we recommend first expand train in Employer Healthcare and Public Health workforce. Second, implement a system to find every suspected case at Community Level. Third, ramp up production and capability of testing. Fourth, identify, adapt Key Facilities you will used to treat and isolate patients. Fifth, develop a clear plan and process to quarantine contacts and finally, number six, refocus the whole of government on suppressing and controlling covid19. These measures are the best way to suppress and stop transmission so that when restrictions are lifted, the virus does not resurge. The last thing any country needs, is to open its schools and businesses only to be forced to close them again because of a resurgence. Aggressive members to find chisum trays, are not only the best and fastest way out of social in economy restrictions, they are also the best way to prevent them. More than 150 countries still have fewer than 100 cases. By taking the same aggressive actions now, these countries have the chance to prevent Community Transmission and avoid some of the more serious social and Economic Cost as seen in other countries. This is especially relevant for many countries whose Health Systems may collapse under the weight of the number of patients we have seen in some countries with Community Transmission. Today, i joined the United Nations secretary, general and under secretary general, and unicef director to launch the global humanitarian appeal to support the most fragile countries who have already suffered years of acute humanitarian crisis. This is a much more than a health crisis. We are committed to work as one un to protect the worlds most Vulnerable People from the virus and its consequences. We also welcome the secretarygenerals call for a global ceasefire. They are all facing a common threats, and the only way to defeat it is by coming together as one humanity, because we are one, one human race. We are grateful to the more than 200,000 individuals and organizations who have contributed to the coven 19 response fund. Since we launched less than two weeks ago, the fund has raised more than 95 million u. S. Dollars. I would like to offer my deep thanks to gsk for its generous contribution of 10 million u. S. Dollars today. Although we are especially concerned about vulnerable countries, all countries have vulnerable populations. Including older people. Older people carry the collective wisdom of our societies. They are valued and valuable members of our families and communities. But they are at higher risk of the more serious complications of covid19. We are listening to older people and those who work with and for them, to identify how best we can support them. We need to Work Together to protect older people from the virus and to ensure their needs are being meant for food, fuel, prescription medication, and human interaction. Physical distance doesnt mean social distance. We all need to check in regularly on older parents, neighbors, friends or relatives who live alone or in care homes in whatever ways possible. So they know how much they are loved and valued. All of these things are important at any time, but they are even more important during a crisis. Finally, the covid19 pandemic has highlighted the need for compelling and Creative Communications about Public Health. Last year, who announced our festival. The volume, quality, and diversity of entries far surpassed our expectations. We received more than 1300 entries from 110 countries. And today we are announcing a short list of 45 excellent short films about vital health topics. We are also announcing a distinguished panel of jurors who will judge the short list, with the winners to be announced in may. We will be showing all of the shortlisted films in the coming weeks on our website and social media channels. In this difficult times, film and other media are a powerful way, not only of communicating Important Health messages, but of administering one of the most powerful medicines, hope. I thank you. See mick thank you, we will now open the floor to questions. As i mentioned before, little housekeeping. If you are connected by zoom, please use the raise your hand icon to get in the queue. You are connected by phone, please hit have nine on your keypad. Please restrict your questions to one question. Please try to give them a short as possible because there are so many people who need to ask a question. In fact, we had so many questions left over from monday, i am now going to read a question from simon, who has been waiting i think three times to ask this question. I cannot see him in the queue so i will read it out for you simon. After they are on twitter i hope you can his question. This is from simon from today news africa. Simon asks, the coronavirus pandemic is fast spreading across africa and is threatening to overwhelm our week healthcare system. The center for Global Development in washington d. C. s is warning that if developed countries do not support africa today, this pandemic will not be defeated. What type of concrete assistance can who drive to assist african now, before it is too late . I can begin im sure the doctoral supplement. Who has Country Offices in every country in africa. Our representatives of the teams that have been supporting countries for many, many years. In addition to that, our regional director has surged many staff teams to support countries to provide better soup port and planning. Weve developed the process sent ppe, sent lab test, we are training Lab Technicians from all over africa we are currently working on increasing all of the capacities and Clinical Management and trying to work to provide more support in support of supply chains. It is a challenging situation for all countries in africa and the international community, and for all countries of the south and lower income families must have support. They have a crisis in their own regard they must move to protect the south because no one is safe until we are all safe. Thank you so much. The number of cases in sub sahara and africa is around 1600 as we speak. If you take the number of cases, this is actually an opportunity to use the sick recommendations i just made. Meaning to be able to cut it from the bud. They contest, isolate, quarantine, while still the number of cases is low. The first thing is, they should believe that this thing is in their hands. They can do something to stop it as early as possible. Then, of course, we have Global Responsibility as humanity, and especially those countries like the g20, we will have the g20 signing tomorrow. They should be able to support countries all over the world, not only from africa, but all over the world with low income or middle income countries. It is only through solidarity that we can support those countries. From the who side, we have started, as early as possible to support two test kits and we have already provided to more than 120 countries and a good number of them are from the african continent. And also ppe to 68 countries, and most of these countries are from africa. Who will continue to support countries who need our support, and we are negotiating with many stakeholders to build up our special logistics capacity to continue supporting the countries, as we have been doing. Thank you dr. Tedros. The next question is from brazil. Someone else who has also been waiting to ask his question for a week. Please go ahead. So my question again is on president wilson aro, and i apologize for insisting on this. But his remarks last night and over the last days, are they actually putting the lives of brazilians at risk . Would you ask him to change his position and change responsibility . Take responsibility . Thank you so much. I think we have spoken on this issue, and issues like this before. We trust that all governments will take the appropriate actions to manage the Public Health risks which are real. But we also understand the terrible dilemmas country face in protecting economies and social systems. We must focus first on trying to stop this disease and saving lives. So it may be just repeating what i said, but my advice to all countries, and of course many countries are already taking Community Wide actions by closing schools, restricting movement, and asking citizens to stayathome. All possibilities to have physical distancing. Thats very important, but at the same time, we have proposed six actions, and that will also apply to any country, and that is what we said. There are countries, 150 countries and we list the cases. They have to be very serious at this stage when they have less number of cases. In the first thing they should do, they should train there and Health Workers, and Public Health workforce. And they should implement a systemwide approach to find suspected cases at Community Level and this is for all levels even some countries who have not reported cases. We even, i just did this ramp up production. In capacity and availability to do more testing. The first recommendation was to identify and adapt it facility spread we have to prepare the facilities for any eventuality. In some countries the number of cases have really jumped in overwhelm the system. They were not prepared so it was very difficult to give service to patients coming to the hospital to get service. So preparing the system is very important for any country, including those countries who have reported cases are countries with less than ten cases less than a hundred cases or more than not one cases or 1000 cases. Confirm cases should also be isolated this is same recommendation for every country we need to have a whole of government approach. Because this pandemic cannot be with just the Health Sector alone. We need to have all relevant sectors working together to suppress this pandemic. And not only the whole government approach, we are also saying we need the trust of the community. And communities should be mobilized to do their share, because this is everybodys business. And every citizen has a responsibility to take part. So besides the recommendations that we believe applies to all countries. This virus is very dangerous. We have already counted more than 16000 we have said this is public enemy number one. We are setting the window of opportunity is narrowing, and the time to act was actually more than a month ago or two months ago thats what we have been saying. But we still believe that there is opportunity, i think we squandered the first window of opportunity but we are saying today, my message, i made it clear this is a Second Opportunity which should not be squandered. And do everything to suppress and control this virus. This is a responsibility for all of us. Especially the Political Leadership is key. And it has to be able to come in and mobilize communities also, to take ownership and do the right things to suppress and control this pandemic. Thank you very much dr. Tedros. Now we will move to italy. Live italian public tv. Can you hear us . I am here so we have feedback. Try to say question again, if not i will read it out because i do have some text on your question. Sounds like we cannot hear. I will read out your question. He wanted to know what who thanks about testing an active surveillance in italy at this stage . What should italy be doing in terms of testing in active surveillance . I think i think we actually spoke with our italian colleagues today. We have a Senior Member of our staff currently embedded in italy giving highlevel inputs and advice. And our regional director is also in Constant Contact with the ministry of health. Italy is breaking down its problem, it has looked at each and every one of its providences. Trying to look at those providences in terms of where they are. I think many of you will have seen tony fauci speak about this in the u. S. Many to start looking at the data, we need to start breaking the problem down. You cant look at a whole country as one entity, you break the problem down, you look at your local geographies, you see what the local situation is at each level. Then you decide with the best tasks and ten tax sticks ours. There some parts of italy were transmission is very intense and its very difficult to get a handle on testing all cases enduring cant tech tracing. Theres a real attempt to save life at this point. They have locked on measures they are in order to try to suppress infection. But there are parts of italy were transmission is not that intense and theres a real possibility of avoiding the worse it is happened in many of the parts of northern italy. So i believe our italian colleagues are trying to scale up, train the workforce, train Public Health workers, get out and do community detection, just detect and isolate suspect cases and trayce contacts. But we fully understand, that in certain areas right in the epicenter, it is difficult to do that when you are dealing with a heavy wave and dealing with the Health System under huge pressure. We really do admire them in italy, they are heroes. They are putting up a courageous fight against this virus. On behalf of their own people and on behalf of the world. We like and support the way they are breaking the problem down, they are working their way through the problem. We will do everything in our power, as the World Health Organization to support them in their efforts. So thanks. If i could just supplement what mike said, beyond italy i think there are many countries theyre looking at the situation they are in, the transmission situation theyre in. And the situation seems completely overwhelming. Testing, with us a test and how important that is as part of this comprehensive package, is a fundamental aspect that needs to be enhanced. And we hear you, we are on the phone with our colleagues every day. They say to us, this seems impossible, this is not something we can do. What should we do . We have been very clear, it is critical that you testified where this virus is so you know where you are fighting it. To find all of your suspect cases, tesco suspect cases, find those contacts, test those contacts that develop symptoms. By doing so, you are actually able to break in the chains of transmission. But when the situation necessity of committee wide transmission and their areas with very large outbreaks there are ways you may need to prioritize some of those actions you can break down the problem like mike just said. Find those boundaries of where that big outbreak is so you can bring it more under control. In taking those temporary, making those tough decisions temporarily, will help you being able to come back and find the suspect cases. As the director general has said, these socalled lockdown measures that many countries have implemented, and more and more we are hearing about countries implementing this socalled lockdown measures, this is buying you a little bit of time. In that time needs to be used appropriately. That time must be used till build up again, your workforce to be able to find those cases. To be able to break down a much larger problem into something that becomes more manageable. We have guidance on our website, which works through, with you, with all countries, which Transmission Center or you may be in . Outline some of the considerations you may need to take if you are in clusters, large clusters of cases or if you are in Economic Cost<\/a>s. Closing schools, businesses, canceling sporting events, and asking people to stay home and stay safe. We understand that these countries are now trying to assess when and how they will be able to ease these measures. The answer depends on what countries do while this population wide measures are in place. Asking people to stay at home and shutting down Population Movement<\/a> is buying time and reducing the pressure on Health Systems<\/a>. But on their own, these measures will not exceed english epidemics. The point of these actions is to enable the more precise and targeted measures that are needed to stop transit content transmission and save lives. We call on all countries have introduced socalled lockdown measures to use this time to attack the virus. You have created a second window of opportunity, the question is how will you use it . There are six key actions that we recommend. First, we recommend first expand train in Employer Healthcare<\/a> and Public Health<\/a> workforce. Second, implement a system to find every suspected case at Community Level<\/a>. Third, ramp up production and capability of testing. Fourth, identify, adapt Key Facilities<\/a> you will used to treat and isolate patients. Fifth, develop a clear plan and process to quarantine contacts and finally, number six, refocus the whole of government on suppressing and controlling covid19. These measures are the best way to suppress and stop transmission so that when restrictions are lifted, the virus does not resurge. The last thing any country needs, is to open its schools and businesses only to be forced to close them again because of a resurgence. Aggressive members to find chisum trays, are not only the best and fastest way out of social in economy restrictions, they are also the best way to prevent them. More than 150 countries still have fewer than 100 cases. By taking the same aggressive actions now, these countries have the chance to prevent Community Transmission<\/a> and avoid some of the more serious social and Economic Cost<\/a> as seen in other countries. This is especially relevant for many countries whose Health Systems<\/a> may collapse under the weight of the number of patients we have seen in some countries with Community Transmission<\/a>. Today, i joined the United Nations<\/a> secretary, general and under secretary general, and unicef director to launch the global humanitarian appeal to support the most fragile countries who have already suffered years of acute humanitarian crisis. This is a much more than a health crisis. We are committed to work as one un to protect the worlds most Vulnerable People<\/a> from the virus and its consequences. We also welcome the secretarygenerals call for a global ceasefire. They are all facing a common threats, and the only way to defeat it is by coming together as one humanity, because we are one, one human race. We are grateful to the more than 200,000 individuals and organizations who have contributed to the coven 19 response fund. Since we launched less than two weeks ago, the fund has raised more than 95 million u. S. Dollars. I would like to offer my deep thanks to gsk for its generous contribution of 10 million u. S. Dollars today. Although we are especially concerned about vulnerable countries, all countries have vulnerable populations. Including older people. Older people carry the collective wisdom of our societies. They are valued and valuable members of our families and communities. But they are at higher risk of the more serious complications of covid19. We are listening to older people and those who work with and for them, to identify how best we can support them. We need to Work Together<\/a> to protect older people from the virus and to ensure their needs are being meant for food, fuel, prescription medication, and human interaction. Physical distance doesnt mean social distance. We all need to check in regularly on older parents, neighbors, friends or relatives who live alone or in care homes in whatever ways possible. So they know how much they are loved and valued. All of these things are important at any time, but they are even more important during a crisis. Finally, the covid19 pandemic has highlighted the need for compelling and Creative Communications<\/a> about Public Health<\/a>. Last year, who announced our festival. The volume, quality, and diversity of entries far surpassed our expectations. We received more than 1300 entries from 110 countries. And today we are announcing a short list of 45 excellent short films about vital health topics. We are also announcing a distinguished panel of jurors who will judge the short list, with the winners to be announced in may. We will be showing all of the shortlisted films in the coming weeks on our website and social media channels. In this difficult times, film and other media are a powerful way, not only of communicating Important Health<\/a> messages, but of administering one of the most powerful medicines, hope. I thank you. See mick thank you, we will now open the floor to questions. As i mentioned before, little housekeeping. If you are connected by zoom, please use the raise your hand icon to get in the queue. You are connected by phone, please hit have nine on your keypad. Please restrict your questions to one question. Please try to give them a short as possible because there are so many people who need to ask a question. In fact, we had so many questions left over from monday, i am now going to read a question from simon, who has been waiting i think three times to ask this question. I cannot see him in the queue so i will read it out for you simon. After they are on twitter i hope you can his question. This is from simon from today news africa. Simon asks, the coronavirus pandemic is fast spreading across africa and is threatening to overwhelm our week healthcare system. The center for Global Development<\/a> in washington d. C. s is warning that if developed countries do not support africa today, this pandemic will not be defeated. What type of concrete assistance can who drive to assist african now, before it is too late . I can begin im sure the doctoral supplement. Who has Country Offices<\/a> in every country in africa. Our representatives of the teams that have been supporting countries for many, many years. In addition to that, our regional director has surged many staff teams to support countries to provide better soup port and planning. Weve developed the process sent ppe, sent lab test, we are training Lab Technicians<\/a> from all over africa we are currently working on increasing all of the capacities and Clinical Management<\/a> and trying to work to provide more support in support of supply chains. It is a challenging situation for all countries in africa and the international community, and for all countries of the south and lower income families must have support. They have a crisis in their own regard they must move to protect the south because no one is safe until we are all safe. Thank you so much. The number of cases in sub sahara and africa is around 1600 as we speak. If you take the number of cases, this is actually an opportunity to use the sick recommendations i just made. Meaning to be able to cut it from the bud. They contest, isolate, quarantine, while still the number of cases is low. The first thing is, they should believe that this thing is in their hands. They can do something to stop it as early as possible. Then, of course, we have Global Responsibility<\/a> as humanity, and especially those countries like the g20, we will have the g20 signing tomorrow. They should be able to support countries all over the world, not only from africa, but all over the world with low income or middle income countries. It is only through solidarity that we can support those countries. From the who side, we have started, as early as possible to support two test kits and we have already provided to more than 120 countries and a good number of them are from the african continent. And also ppe to 68 countries, and most of these countries are from africa. Who will continue to support countries who need our support, and we are negotiating with many stakeholders to build up our special logistics capacity to continue supporting the countries, as we have been doing. Thank you dr. Tedros. The next question is from brazil. Someone else who has also been waiting to ask his question for a week. Please go ahead. So my question again is on president wilson aro, and i apologize for insisting on this. But his remarks last night and over the last days, are they actually putting the lives of brazilians at risk . Would you ask him to change his position and change responsibility . Take responsibility . Thank you so much. I think we have spoken on this issue, and issues like this before. We trust that all governments will take the appropriate actions to manage the Public Health<\/a> risks which are real. But we also understand the terrible dilemmas country face in protecting economies and social systems. We must focus first on trying to stop this disease and saving lives. So it may be just repeating what i said, but my advice to all countries, and of course many countries are already taking Community Wide<\/a> actions by closing schools, restricting movement, and asking citizens to stayathome. All possibilities to have physical distancing. Thats very important, but at the same time, we have proposed six actions, and that will also apply to any country, and that is what we said. There are countries, 150 countries and we list the cases. They have to be very serious at this stage when they have less number of cases. In the first thing they should do, they should train there and Health Workers<\/a>, and Public Health<\/a> workforce. And they should implement a systemwide approach to find suspected cases at Community Level<\/a> and this is for all levels even some countries who have not reported cases. We even, i just did this ramp up production. In capacity and availability to do more testing. The first recommendation was to identify and adapt it facility spread we have to prepare the facilities for any eventuality. In some countries the number of cases have really jumped in overwhelm the system. They were not prepared so it was very difficult to give service to patients coming to the hospital to get service. So preparing the system is very important for any country, including those countries who have reported cases are countries with less than ten cases less than a hundred cases or more than not one cases or 1000 cases. Confirm cases should also be isolated this is same recommendation for every country we need to have a whole of government approach. Because this pandemic cannot be with just the Health Sector<\/a> alone. We need to have all relevant sectors working together to suppress this pandemic. And not only the whole government approach, we are also saying we need the trust of the community. And communities should be mobilized to do their share, because this is everybodys business. And every citizen has a responsibility to take part. So besides the recommendations that we believe applies to all countries. This virus is very dangerous. We have already counted more than 16000 we have said this is public enemy number one. We are setting the window of opportunity is narrowing, and the time to act was actually more than a month ago or two months ago thats what we have been saying. But we still believe that there is opportunity, i think we squandered the first window of opportunity but we are saying today, my message, i made it clear this is a Second Opportunity<\/a> which should not be squandered. And do everything to suppress and control this virus. This is a responsibility for all of us. Especially the Political Leadership<\/a> is key. And it has to be able to come in and mobilize communities also, to take ownership and do the right things to suppress and control this pandemic. Thank you very much dr. Tedros. Now we will move to italy. Live italian public tv. Can you hear us . I am here so we have feedback. Try to say question again, if not i will read it out because i do have some text on your question. Sounds like we cannot hear. I will read out your question. He wanted to know what who thanks about testing an active surveillance in italy at this stage . What should italy be doing in terms of testing in active surveillance . I think i think we actually spoke with our italian colleagues today. We have a Senior Member<\/a> of our staff currently embedded in italy giving highlevel inputs and advice. And our regional director is also in Constant Contact<\/a> with the ministry of health. Italy is breaking down its problem, it has looked at each and every one of its providences. Trying to look at those providences in terms of where they are. I think many of you will have seen tony fauci speak about this in the u. S. Many to start looking at the data, we need to start breaking the problem down. You cant look at a whole country as one entity, you break the problem down, you look at your local geographies, you see what the local situation is at each level. Then you decide with the best tasks and ten tax sticks ours. There some parts of italy were transmission is very intense and its very difficult to get a handle on testing all cases enduring cant tech tracing. Theres a real attempt to save life at this point. They have locked on measures they are in order to try to suppress infection. But there are parts of italy were transmission is not that intense and theres a real possibility of avoiding the worse it is happened in many of the parts of northern italy. So i believe our italian colleagues are trying to scale up, train the workforce, train Public Health<\/a> workers, get out and do community detection, just detect and isolate suspect cases and trayce contacts. But we fully understand, that in certain areas right in the epicenter, it is difficult to do that when you are dealing with a heavy wave and dealing with the Health System<\/a> under huge pressure. We really do admire them in italy, they are heroes. They are putting up a courageous fight against this virus. On behalf of their own people and on behalf of the world. We like and support the way they are breaking the problem down, they are working their way through the problem. We will do everything in our power, as the World Health Organization<\/a> to support them in their efforts. So thanks. If i could just supplement what mike said, beyond italy i think there are many countries theyre looking at the situation they are in, the transmission situation theyre in. And the situation seems completely overwhelming. Testing, with us a test and how important that is as part of this comprehensive package, is a fundamental aspect that needs to be enhanced. And we hear you, we are on the phone with our colleagues every day. They say to us, this seems impossible, this is not something we can do. What should we do . We have been very clear, it is critical that you testified where this virus is so you know where you are fighting it. To find all of your suspect cases, tesco suspect cases, find those contacts, test those contacts that develop symptoms. By doing so, you are actually able to break in the chains of transmission. But when the situation necessity of committee wide transmission and their areas with very large outbreaks there are ways you may need to prioritize some of those actions you can break down the problem like mike just said. Find those boundaries of where that big outbreak is so you can bring it more under control. In taking those temporary, making those tough decisions temporarily, will help you being able to come back and find the suspect cases. As the director general has said, these socalled lockdown measures that many countries have implemented, and more and more we are hearing about countries implementing this socalled lockdown measures, this is buying you a little bit of time. In that time needs to be used appropriately. That time must be used till build up again, your workforce to be able to find those cases. To be able to break down a much larger problem into something that becomes more manageable. We have guidance on our website, which works through, with you, with all countries, which Transmission Center<\/a> or you may be in . Outline some of the considerations you may need to take if you are in clusters, large clusters of cases or if you are in Community Transmission<\/a>. With the overall aim of bringing you back from Community Level<\/a> transmission to clusterings of cases, down to individual chains of transmission so that transmission can be suppressed and you can bring this outbreaks under control. We hear you, we understand this is overwhelming in many cases. But there are things you can do to suppress and slow transmission and save lives. Just two lines, the commitment of the Italian Government<\/a> is really, really incredible. And we can see on the ground how that is moving now. , not only that, the cooperation from the citizens from italy is also amazing. I think this will bring reason. That is what who believes, and as mike said, we will do everything to support. There are some good signals now, we had a discussion with some of the senior experts from italy today. We hope this positive signal in progress will continue. I am really happy to see that italy is doing all it can. Thank you dr. Tedros. The next question is from kathryn, can you hear me . Yes do you hear me . Yes go ahead. So okay good afternoon dr. Tedros, mike and maria. My question is really releasing the testing. As people, and most of the countries are seeing that can eventually equipment is not available. Does who advise them to turn to attack as an innovation as south korea is doing by using interactive websites, apps that that use, tracking movements and infected persons . Are you collaborating with iq . If thats the case could you elaborate on that . Thank you. Yes, i will say, this is probably the first pandemic of the 21st century in which the full power of Information Technology<\/a>, social media, Artificial Intelligence<\/a> is being applied to almost every aspect of this response. Both in terms of Risk Communication<\/a> with communities and targeting information and avoiding misinformation encountering misinformation. That is probably been one of the most powerful uses of Information Technology<\/a> in this response. We thank all of those agencies, both public and private, who have joined with us and with our partners to really enhance their way in which we can communicate and get the best information to people. Beyond that, there are a huge number of collaborations around surveillance applications, modeling, predictive modeling, analytics, Decision Support<\/a> tools, and many of these other applications. Korea, china, itself, and other countries have developed apps that have supported them in case detection, case reporting, case followed, tracking, tracing, and many other things. We ourselves have deployed our Data Platform<\/a> which is a platform for contrac contact tasting linking lab results over 50 countries now. There are other it applications like epidemic intelligence from multiple sources which we use. We built that over the last five years of the consortium of international partners. It tracks information and multiple language all over the world using ai engines that allows us to stay one step ahead in terms of information around the virus another epidemics around the world. We are working with our chief information officer, coordinating a huge partnership across the world with many institutions including it to develop the best possible solutions. There is a tremendous amount of innovation, huge amount of enthusiasm, but we need to turn that innovation and enthusiasm into a real structured way into products that work for frontline workers, that work for frontline systems. That is what we are in the process of doing now. We do always have to have in the back of our minds, especially when it comes to collecting information on individual citizens, or tracking their whereabouts or movements, that there are always very serious Data Protection<\/a> and human rights, and principles that are involved. We are very, very cognizant of that. We want to ensure that all products developed are done in the most sensitive way possible, and that we never stepped beyond the principles of individual freedoms, rights for individuals and societies. Yes, there are tremendous amounts of collaboration ongoing. I could probably speak about this for a lots, lots longer. Maria might want to speak about the modeling work in particular, and some other work we are doing specifically. I would just like to thank our partners from all over the world. The power of innovation, the power of ideas, and we have had ideas for people as young as 14 to 15 from individuals, from small start up companies from huge global companies. It has been the most outstanding, most amazing outpouring of support and collaboration that i have seen in my career. Just add a couple of things from what we have seen, particularly in this pandemic. The use of telemedicine. Many people who need care, who cannot go to hospitals right now, or cant go to the regular routine appointments are utilizing telemedicine and having interactive chats and conversations with their doctors so that they continue to have care. From the comfort of their home without having to go into a healthcare facility. We are seeing the application of that across many different types of medicine. We are seeing innovative ways in which children and University Students<\/a> can continue their education, even though we have a large number of children and young adults who are out of school right now because of this pandemic. There is interactive ways in which they are continuing their education and learning through this pandemic, even if they are not physically in school. We see interactive ways in which technology is helping us do trainings. Where we cant do facetoface trainings, because we are not able to move around the globe. We are finding ways in which we can provide these materials either online through our open who platform, where we have more than half a million people, up to 600,000 people who enrolled in our courses and more than two dozen languages. Were also using technology to find more interactive ways to have oneonone conversations with us frontline workers to answer and work through some of those very difficult questions that they may be having as they treat patients or care for patients, or set up treatment units et cetera. We are also using technology in many different ways with this Predictive Analytics<\/a> that mike is mentioned. Wework at the large number of modelers, you heard me say this before, to work through scenarios. To work through predictions, but of course, these predictions are not realities. So what is important is that we take all of these measures that women out lining from the start to make sure those predictions do not become realities. Lastly, technology and it, and apps have completely change the way we think of social distancing. We are saying physical distancing now because we are actually talking about separating physically people but keeping them socially connected. We have ways in which we can do this now, like we have never had before. So we keep people connected so that they feel they are still part of this and we are all in this fight together, even while keeping them physically apart. Thank you very much. The next question is from india today. But before they would come on i like to remind everybody to use the raise your hand icon and to apologize for saying have nine it is star nine on your keypad for your telephone. Are there . Can you go ahead if your question . Thank you, margaret. Good evening everyone i represent india today. In india there is three weeks long lockdown, which means 1. 3 billion people are quarantined inside their homes right now. But we keep hearing about the possibility of outbreak in the near future. I country like india cannot afford many lockdowns after this one ends. What is whos best advice to india what they must do during this lockdown to ensure there is not an outbreak in such a lockdown again in the near future . Also, if you could please tell us how far are we from a possible vaccine or medicine . Thank you very much. Your question is a very good one. I think the director general answered that question very much in his address. He mentioned the sic six things every country needs to do. Weve said in Previous Press<\/a> conferences india has incredible capacity to leverage, accelerate and expand its capacity. But it must do the things. You must have a system to find cases, you must test, you must expand your capacity to treat and isolate. You must be able to quarantine your contacts, and you mustnt bring in an all government approach to the response. If those things are put in place, and i know they are being put in place. But if we can accelerate that, india is a vast country. You could never look at india just as one single entity from an epidemiological perspective, and if you remember those of you in india who were involved in the process, india got rid of polio by breaking it right down. India got rid of polio by breaking it down to the village level. All the way down through the system. It was after the polio district and district and district in india one. If india doesnt same thing, breaks down the problem, puts in the measures needed both in surveillance and healthcare message and does us systematically, then there is a way out. There is a transition from lockdowns into a Public Health<\/a> driven response in which people dont have to stay locked in their homes for more time than his absolute necessary. That implementing the necessary measures and without putting in place those protections, its going to be very difficult for countries to exit. And when do they may have resurgence. I think that is the challenge now. We have time, very little, as a director general said, a second but small window of opportunity. What countries do today, tomorrow, the next is what will matter. If i can add to that, we have seen countries that have gone through these socalled lockdowns, Public Health<\/a> measures and distancing measures. We need to learn from all these countries who have applied these measures at Different Levels<\/a> of intensity. We know what measures were taken in china and in particular in wuhan. And who bay. We know these measures are being lifted now, and the reason they can be lifted is because these systems are in place to actually quickly identify and isolate any cases that pop up. And now what we are seeing in chinas were not seeing indigenous cases, cases locally transmitted we are seeing new importations. There more importations going into china and are actually being detected from local transmission. We havent had local transmission in a number of days now. My point is in bringing up china as they have looked at a staggering approach of lifting these measures. It was not out once across the whole country. And in different parts of the country, they applied different intensities and levels of these measures. It was not a total lockdown in all places across china. We know in singapore, the use a different approach. They did have some application of social distancing or physical distancing measures. But they did not close their schools. So its really important for us to take the examples of all of these countries and look in detail about what they did. As it relates to the epidemiology in their country and learn from them. We are doing that now. We are taking very detailed looks at what every country is doing, what countries have done, and the levels of success they have had. So again we can come back and say these are the things that really have works. We know the things we are telling you. These are the things that work. We know they are incredibly difficult, but we dont want is to get into a situation where you have a lockdown, then you lift it, then you have a resurgence, and then you have a lockdown anyhow this endless cycle. We need to break the cycle so that the measures put in place are temporary. We know these are incredibly difficult and we thank you for playing your individual part in this outbreak. But we know that these things work. They are temporary, we will get through this. But those measures to find those cases, isolate those cases, finding corn senior contacts, treating patients who require treatment, is really, really critical. I think for india, with 606 cases, i have already outlined the six steps. Doing that now will help india to stop from the virus spreading to more places, or you know, getting bigger. As mike said, india has the capacity, it is very important and good to see that india is taking early measures. This will help you to suppress and control it as soon as possible. Before it gets serious. So its very important, like what is happening now in india, to cut it from the bud, when you only have 606 cases only. Thank you dr. Tedros. We now have camellia from the Financial Times<\/a> are you on the line . Yes. Please go ahead. Im talking about the risk to essential medical supply chains. Are there any parts of the supply chain that are under particular strain at the moment . I think you would have to say that all elements of the supply chain for under extreme strain at the moment. That is from Raw Materials<\/a> through production, distribution, and delivery. There are Different Reasons<\/a> driving some of that. Production, in some cases, for example, a lot of the rubber thats used to protas rubber gloves is produced in a small number of countries. If those countries have difficulties in their general supply chain, or have a problem of pushing things into the international market, than the place that makes the gloves may have a difficulty next may making the gloves. Not because they lack the production but they lack the rum materials. There are problems in the supply chain all along that chain. The simple issue is demand. Because our current production of protective equipment and ventilators was obviously pretty adequate to meet Global Demand<\/a> before this event began. But unfortunately, the world is not ready for pandemic. And not being ready, we dont have the security stockpiles in place that are immediately deployable in order to scale up our capacity to protect our Frontline Health<\/a> workers and others. There are shortages of ppe, shortages of ventilators, and other products for the medical response to coven. We also have to avoid shortages and other medical supplies as supply chains come under strain. That may be because of secondary effects of the virus, which is shutting down of air core doors, cancellation of flights all around the world, any passenger flights around the world also carry cargo. Difficulties in shipping, shipping and even chicago shipping. Crews are finding shipping agents are finding hard to move materials around the world. There is a strain on the whole system. We are working very, very closely. The director general, even after the launch of the humanitarian appeal had to further, very fruitful discussions with the secretarygeneral on dealing with this issue. The huge commitment of the un system to do every thing possible together under the director generals leadership to improve, scale up, and deliver to the extent possible, the essential supplies that help workers, frontline workers need around the world in terms of ppe, ventilators and other supplies. There has been a huge scaling up of that capacity. We will make further announcements in the coming days of further scale ups in that capacity to deliver. But we also need is a rampup in production and a ramp up in funding that material. I believe the general general may speak to this and will be raising this issue very much of the g20 leaders meeting tomorrow. If i could just add, mike has outlined what we are doing to address this problem and how we are working with so many different partners. But we need to be clear, the world is facing a significant shortage of ppe for our frontline workers. Including masks and gloves and gowns and facials. And protecting our healthcare workers must be the top priority for the use of this ppe. We are working with Technical Partners<\/a> across the globe to identify ways in which we can manage his current shortage while we try to find solutions. Some of these options are not ideal. This is not acceptable. So we all have to play our part to make sure we prioritize the use of ppe. We use ppe appropriately, and that is for our frontline workers were caring for patients. Thank you very much. We now have a question my apologies if i have your name wrong, from nation media africa. Are you on the line . Yes i am on the line can you hear me . So yes very well, please go ahead. Im just going to rush through it. I would like to know in the modeling that you guys have done, and have talked about is there any indication of how this thing reacts to we have the african cdc. I would like a comments from the director general on how they plan to support it. It was being funded by the ague, but the last time i talked to the director, money seems to be drying up out there. But they do now is very critical and this Health System<\/a> is having a very hard time. So i could start, mike will supplement. I can start on the first part of that of the questions about the use of mathematical models to look at what may happen. We are working with a number of groups that are looking at these types of scenarios in terms of using available epidemiological information about how this virus is transmitted, the rates in which it has moved through populations in china, and italy and other locations. To use those parameters as we call them to estimate what may happen in a new population, and in africa for example. And using that information you can estimate what case numbers and deaths may look like if we dont do anything. If we dont have any intervention. Some of those numbers are very hi, they are quite scary. But what those models can also do, because they can also look at what can happen as you implement certain interventions. These are the interventions we have outlines, which are Public Health<\/a> measures, which are physical distancing measures, which are making sure you have Testing Capacity<\/a> improves inviting all of your cases. When you look at the scenarios, this case numbers reduce. So that is what is important in those models. They also help us plan. They also health bus estimate case numbers. We base that on the level of severity they may have. If they may have mild infection, moderate infection, may be severe require oxygen. They need ventilatory systems, respiratory support. Those models help us estimate what kind of supplies we need. We are using those right now to estimate what we would need to supply for countries. In so they have been very helpful. We can look at the country level, regional level, and we are working with modeling partners to create tools that countries can used to help prepare. Just on the africa cdc, actually the director general and i spoke with john who is the director of africa cdc. In fact he is taken on a roll of the special envoy of the director general for covid19. The african cdc is a very Important Institution<\/a> the supported this creation, the director general and its founding members before he took the role as director general. On the director the Regional Office<\/a> for african john worked very closely together to ensure that Member States<\/a> and countries in africa get the best possible Public Health<\/a> and Health Advice<\/a> and full support from both our organizations. We have worked together with the african cdc on training Lab Technicians<\/a> and covid19 diagnosis from all over africa. We have worked together on the distribution of laboratory tests, we are currently working together with colleagues in china on the procurement and distribution of ppe across africa. I would characterize very Strong Operational<\/a> growing, technical and operational relationship with her colleagues in the africa cdc. Obviously, in the future, who in itself not a funding organization. We will always be advocating for the funding and support to strong african institutions to provide support all across the continent. And im sure through this response, one of the benefits, if there is anything to be seen a benefit at the moment, as we need to build stronger Public Health<\/a> systems at subnational, national, and a global level. If any lesson is to be learned from the current pandemic, it is that we need stronger Public Health<\/a> systems, and we will work very hard with our Regional Office<\/a> for africa with john and the cdc under the leadership of the director general to deliver stronger Public Health<\/a> systems on the african continent in the coming years. Thank you very much doctor ryan. The next question is from kyoto. Weve only got time for two more questions so i ask very much that you keep your question as short as possible. Are you there . Please go ahead. So a question to doctor ryan on the Tokyo Olympic<\/a> games. What would be the advice that wh have given to International Olympic<\/a> committee and japanese government before they made the decision . Thank you. Think if your question we have been working over many years with the International Olympic<\/a> movement and providing them with Risk Management<\/a> advice for many many of their advents going back to rio and previously. We do not take any final decisions from the staging of events or not. We advise organizing groups and fifa, ioc, and people organizing huge events in the kingdom of saudi arabia and how it risk, biological risk can be manage how they can be identified, housing and be minimized in any residual risk can be managed the games to be carried out successfully and they can go on without a addressing Public Health<\/a>. In the same regard, we have had many conversations with our colleagues in ioc and with the tokyo 2020 committing the japanese government over the last two months. It advance of their decision yesterday. We continued to divide them, up to yesterday out advice on the developing and escalating pandemic. The likely situation that may pertain later into july. And notwithstanding, the excellent efforts of japan and containing the disease. There are other that have to be taken into consideration which would have potential in other countries at the time. The difficulty of movement and the risk that might be associated with disease arriving in and potentially subsequently moving from japan to other areas. To many, many issues are put on the table. We stick to our job, we just avoid Public Health<\/a> Risk Assessment<\/a> and the Public Health<\/a> advice to postpone the olympics was made holy and solely with the ioc and with the japanese government. But as the director general said in the statement we fully support that decision. Doctor ryan says two of the people who were in the queue have put their hands down but we have a question from associated press. Please go ahead. Looks like we dont have it please go ahead. Hi, this is jamie from ap. I just wanted to ask you very quickly, dr. Tedros, about the tweeting you did yesterday. You are pretty praiseworthy of a president trumps efforts and i am just wondering you said is doing a great job. I am just wondering, president trump, from the beginning has sorta minimize the importance of this at the very start. And is now talking about churches that might be packed in the United States<\/a> come easter time. How concerned are you about some of the decisions that he is making . Or do you really think he is doing a great job across the board . Thanks. Yeah, i stand by what i said. As you know, one of the recommendations from who is the whole of government approach. Involving all sectors. And the principle, which is the head of state, taking responsibility and leading the whole response. Thats exactly what he is doing in which we appreciate because fighting this pandemic needs political commitments. And commitments at the highest level possible. The president s commitments you have already seen it. And the world has seen it. Thats kind of leadership is very, very importance, a whole of government approach to mobilize all sectors and stop or suppress the pandemic. I know he is doing all he can. But not just the whole of government approach, but expanding testing and also the other recommendations we are making are also in play he takes that seriously. That is what we see, and i had a conversation, i had a chance to discuss with him and thats what he said and he is doing. So i believe that kind of political commitment and Political Leadership<\/a> can bring change or can stop this pandemic. Again just to earlier today we spoke with tony fauci and we are very impressed to see the work that their institutions and other institutions, technical fabulous Public Health<\/a>, research and other institutions are doing in the United States<\/a>. But also supporting on the international front. We have had the benefit of having had the cdc atlantic president here in geneva for more than a year end a half now between a bullock, and covid19. Our colleagues at nih are the ones who have innovated and have managed working with others in the United States<\/a> to start the first trials of the vaccine. Nih and ourselves are working very closely together on trials of existing therapeutics. The fda have been exceptionally helpful and the regulatory side and are working with us on everything from animal models to vaccine developments and much much more. We rely heavily on the scientific innovation and Public Health<\/a> of the United States<\/a>. Very much appreciate the way in which doctor fauci broke down the issue yesterday when he spoke about the dates, he spoke about getting down to the states and county level, working through the problem. Working to the issues. Again, we remain impressed by the work being done at the state and county level with the Public Health<\/a> departments. Now is the time to support them, now is the time that Health Workers<\/a> all over the world need to get the support to do the jobs they need to do. They are our heroes and we are all here to support them. Thank you very much doctor ryan. And on that inspiring note, we will close this press conference, thank you very much, everybody for attending. We will send the audio, we will send the transcript as usual. We love to send you information about the who film festival. Thank you again and we will reconvene on friday. Thank you. Smacked thank you and see you on friday. The former supreme allied commander of nato talks about the leadership and character of naval commanders throughout history followed by on the experience of losing a Family Member<\/a> in a war. Next, on book tvs after words doctor David Shulkin<\/a> recounts his time i","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"archive.org","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","width":"800","height":"600","url":"\/\/ia902903.us.archive.org\/9\/items\/CSPAN2_20200326_225800_World_Health_Organization_Coronavirus_News_Conference\/CSPAN2_20200326_225800_World_Health_Organization_Coronavirus_News_Conference.thumbs\/CSPAN2_20200326_225800_World_Health_Organization_Coronavirus_News_Conference_000001.jpg"}},"autauthor":{"@type":"Organization"},"author":{"sameAs":"archive.org","name":"archive.org"}}],"coverageEndTime":"20240716T12:35:10+00:00"}