WHO updates COVID-19 guidelines ― Urges countries to “test, test, test”

Mar 17, 2020 News

The World Health Organization (WHO) yesterday conducted a media briefing to provide an update on COVID-19, the novel coronavirus.

WHO’s Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus

WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, outlined several measures for all countries to implement and handle this pandemic as he called on them to increase testing.
In a bulletin released by the Department of Public Information, it was noted that Dr. Ghebreyesus underscored “Our key message is test, test, and test.”
The Director-General noted that knowing where the virus is circulating and locating all cases will serve as a major step in containing the spread of the disease.
Amongst the guidelines, the WHO advised that people follow fundamental health measures outlined and cease all social gatherings; health authorities conduct rapid testing and implement immediate isolation as a means to reduce transmission of the virus and that masks are only to be worn if sick.
The WHO is currently assembling evidence from several published studies to efficiently deal with the global situation. Studies are also underway in laboratories in several countries to understand the different environmental conditions and surfaces in which the virus can persist.
It has been recommended that everyone be aware of their roles during this pandemic and WHO has urged that the responsibility is not solely on health sectors, but each citizen in taking the necessary measures to reduce the spread of the virus.
While everyone is at risk, the body has noted too that the vulnerable population includes persons with underlying health conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular and chronic respiratory diseases and those over the age of 60 to be at a higher risk of death.
Countries have been urged to have systems in place to find missing coronavirus cases to isolate those cases all in light of reducing onward transmission.
Guyana has confirmed four cases of COVID-19. In following the health guidelines, persons are also advised to contact the emergency hotline at 227-4986 extension 215 between the hours of 08:00 and16:30 and 624-6674 or 2819 between the hours of 16:30 and 0:800 if they are experiencing flu-like symptoms.

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