WHO calls for urgent, aggressive actions to combat COVID-19, as cases soar in South-East Asia region
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The World Health Organization has urged member states in South-East Asia region to urgently scale-up aggressive measures to combat COVID-19, as confirmed cases cross 480, and the disease claims eight lives.
“The situation is evolving rapidly. We need to immediately scale up all efforts to prevent the virus from infecting more people,” said Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia Region.
Eight of the 11 countries of WHO South-East Asia Region have confirmed cases of COVID-19. While Thailand has 177 confirmed cases, Indonesia 134, India 125, Sri Lanka 19, Maldives 13, Bangladesh 5, Nepal and Bhutan one each. These numbers are increasing quickly.
“More clusters of virus transmission are being confirmed. While this is an indication of an alert and effective surveillance, it also puts the spotlight on the need for more aggressive and whole of society efforts to prevent further spread of COVID-19. We clearly need to do more, and urgently,” the Regional Director said.
Looking at the numbers, some countries are clearly heading towards community transmission of COVID-19, the Regional Director said, adding this should best be prevented.
Of critical importance are continued efforts to detect, test, treat, isolate and trace contacts.
Simple public health measures are critical. Practicing hand hygiene, covering your cough and sneeze, and practicing social distancing cannot be emphasized enough, Dr Khetrapal Singh said. “This alone has the potential to substantially reduce transmission.”
However, if community transmission does set in, countries would need to gear their responses to slow down transmission, as well as end outbreaks.
Emergency mechanism would then need to be further scaled up. A network of health facilities and hospitals for triage and surge would need to be activated to avoid overcrowding.
Self-initiated isolation by people with mild diseases would continue to be the most important community intervention to reduce the burden on health system and reduce virus transmission,according to a statement issued by WHO.
Testing of all suspected cases, symptomatic contacts of probable and confirmed cases, would still be needed.
Total number of cases in South-East Asia Region (As of 18 March 2020)
Country Number of cases Number of deaths
Thailand 212 1
Indonesia 172 5
India 147 3
Sri Lanka 43 0
Maldives 13 0
Bangladesh 8 0
Nepal 1 0
Bhutan 1 0
10 things you can do to prevent COVID-19:
- Clean your hands regularly – wash with soap and water, or clean with alcohol-based hand rub
- Clean surfaces regularly with disinfectant – for example kitchen benches and work desks;
- Educate yourself about COVID-19. Make sure your information comes from reliable sources;
- Avoid traveling if you have a fever or cough, and if you become sick while on a flight, inform the crew immediately. Once you get to your destination, make contact with a health professional and tell them about where you have been;
- Cough or sneeze into your sleeve. If using a tissue, dispose of the tissue immediately into a closed rubbish bin, and then clean your hands;
- Take extra precautions to avoid crowded areas if you are over 60 years old, or if you have an underlying condition;
- If you feel unwell, stay at home and call your doctor or local health professional;
- If you are sick, stay at home, and eat and sleep separately from your family, use different utensils and cutlery to eat;If you develop shortness of breath, call your doctor and seek care immediately;
- It’s normal and understandable to feel anxious, especially if you live in a country that has been affected. Find out what you can do in your community. Discuss how to stay safe in your workplace, school or place of worship. Source :WHO
Photo : BBC
