Geneva Palais briefing note on the impact of the deadly COVID-19 surge on children in India, and increasingly in the region
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This is a summary of what was said by UNICEF representative Dr Yasmin Ali Haque – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today s press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
GENEVA, 7 May 2021 – India is in the grip of a ferocious second wave of COVID-19. In the last 24 hours, India bore the burden of 414,188 new daily cases, which is highest daily case count ever recorded by any country in the history of COVID-19 pandemic – higher than even the count a day earlier (412,262). There were 3,915 deaths due to COVID-19.
UNICEF sends 3,000 oxygen concentrators and other critical supplies to India as country battles deadly COVID-19 surge
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NEW DELHI/KATHMANDU, 29 April 2021 – UNICEF has sent critical lifesaving supplies, including 3,000 oxygen concentrators, diagnostic tests, medical kits, and other equipment to help India in its battle with a deadly wave of COVID-19.
“COVID-19 is severely overstraining the health system in India,” said Dr. Yasmin Haque, UNICEF Representative in India. “Urgent action is needed to avert further tragic loss of life. UNICEF has provided oxygen supplies and other critically needed emergency equipment for immediate response while supporting resilience building against recurrent shocks and stresses. Indeed, much more is needed as the outbreak continues to spread rapidly.”
Vaccination Demand Observatory launched to strengthen local communication programmes to address vaccine misinformation
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UNICEF, Yale Institute for Global Health, and Public Good Projects team up to create the Vaccination Demand Observatory to equip country teams with tools to counter misinformation and mistrust related to all vaccines
As countries begin rolling out COVID-19 vaccination, public health experts know that the last inch getting the vaccine from vial to arm can be the hardest. Public uncertainty in the current pandemic has been exacerbated by an “infodemic,” a confusing epidemic of information and misinformation. The Vaccination Demand Observatory (The Observatory) is developing tools, training, technical support and research to equip in-country teams to mitigate the impact of misinformation and mistrust on all vaccines. This programme is organized in three pillars: social listening analytics and insight generation, a training and education program to