Studentcam. Org. The World Health Organization held a News Conference to provide the latest data unconfirmed coronavirus cases and the number of deaths worldwide. Officials also answered questions about testing them of vaccine development, and response efforts in europe, africa, and the middle east. Good afternoon, everyone. Delay, first. The welcome, everyone to this regular press conference on covid19. We are today in the executive boardroom of the World Health Organization. It is basically to give us a little bit more space so we can all follow the good practices of physical distancing. S, and iur regular guest you may leave at some point, but hopefully we will have questions for the other guests. Just to remark that we had some , we had someues meetings just a few hours ago and hopefully this will be sorted and everyone on our list including press releases and all the other communications. We will have an audio file as we always do. You. Ank good morning, good afternoon everybody. Its now more than a month since if it staysf that way, the outbreak will be declared over less than a months time. We would like to thank all our partners for their solidarity in staying the course in the service of the people of drc and my special thanks to the government and people of the democratic republic of congo. Solidaritypirit of must be at the center of our efforts to defeat covid19. Two hundred thousand cases of covid19 have been reported to who, and more than 8000 people have lost their lives. More than 80 of all cases are reasons, and we know that many countries now face epidemics and are now feeling overwhelmed. We hear you. We know the difficulties you face and the enormous burden you handle. We understand the hard ranging choices youre having to make. We understand that Different Countries and communities are in different situations with Different Levels of transmission. , who is talking to ministers of health, heads of state, Health Workers, hospital managers, industry leaders, and more, to help them prepare and prioritize according to their specific situations. Dont assume your community wont be affected. Prepare as if it will be. Dont assume you wont be infected. Prepare as if you will be. But there is hope. There are many things that all countries can do. Measuresdistancing like canceling sporting events, concerts, and other large gatherings can help to slow transmission of the virus. That can reduce the burden on the health system, and that can help to make epidemics manageable, allowing targeting and focused measures. Theto suppress and control epidemics, countries must trace. , test, treat, and if they dont, transmission changes can continue at a low level, then resurge once physical distancing measures are lifted. Thatontinues to recommit isolating, testing, and treating every suspected case, tracing every contact must be the backbone of the response in every country. This is the best hope of preventing Widespread Community transmission. Most countries with sporadic still in the position to do this. Many countries are listening to finding solutions to increase their ability to implement the full package of measures that have turned the tide in several countries. But we know that some countries are experiencing intense epidemics with Extensive Community transmission. We understand the efforts stifle transmission in these situations, but it can be done. A month ago, the republic of korea was faced with accelerating Community Transmission, but it didnt surrender. Empowered, and engaged communities. Strategyvative testing expanded capacity, he rationed the use of masks. It did exhaustive Contact Tracing and in selected areas and it isolated suspect cases in designated facilities, rather than hospitals or at home. As a result, cases have been declining for weeks. At the peak, there were more than 800 cases, and yesterday, the report was only 90 cases. Who is working in solidarity with other countries with Community Transmission to apply the Lessons Learned in korea and elsewhere and adapt them to the local context. Toewise, who continues accommodate wherever possible, confirmed mild cases should be isolated in Health Facilities were trained professionals can provide medical care and prevent clinical progression and onward transmission. If that is not possible, countries can use Community Facilities to isolate and care for mild cases and refer them for specialized care quickly, if needed. Facilities are at risk of being overwhelmed, people with mild diseases can be cared for at home. Although this is not the ideal situation, who has advised on our website for how homecare can be provided as safely as possible. Who continues to call on all countries to implement a comprehensive approach with the aim of slowing down transmission and flattening the curve. This approach is saving lives and buying time for the development of vaccines and treatments. As you know, the first vaccine trial has begun, just 60 days after the genetic sequence of the varmints was shared by china sequence of the byrons of the virus was shared by china. Around the world weve come together to systematically evaluate trials with different melody methodologies. It may not give us the clear, strong evidence we need about which treatments help to save lives. Partners have been organizing a study in many countries in which some of the untested treatments are compared with each other. Studyarge international is designed to generate the robust effort we need to show which treatments are the most effective. We have called the study the solidarity plan the solidarity trial. It provides five procedures to enable hospitals that have been overloaded to participate. Many countries have already confirmed that they will join the solidarity trial. These countries are argentina, iran,n, canada, france, andy, south africa, spain thailand. And i trust many more will join. I continue to be inspired by the many demonstrations of solidarity from all over the world. The covid19 solidarity Response Plan has now raised more than 170million from more than 3000 individuals and organizations a few days since we launched it. I would especially like to thank of 10r its contribution million. This and other efforts give me hope that together, we can, and will, prevail. This virus is presenting us with test. Recedented it is also an unprecedented opportunity to come together as one against a common enemy. An enemy against humanity. I thank you. Much for thosery remarks. Questions. Rt with i will remind you once again, its possible to have only one question per person so we can get is me questions as possible. Start. Are ready, we can us . You hear me . An you hear hello . Yes, we hear you. Go ahead. There are about 9000 deaths in a population of 38 million. Do you have any recommendation on how much testing is advisable for a country in a contained space like poland . And when can we expect a cheaper version of diagnostic test to be available in europe . I understand the question is about how much testing should be done in a country the size of poland. And when the tests would be available in poland. When a cheaper version of the diagnostic tests would be available in europe. First of all, the volume of testing is clearly determined by the number of suspect cases that you have. So i think the focus here is not how much testing needs to be done to reach a certain number. The real challenge is, are you testing every single suspect case . Every suspect case should be tested, their contacts identified. If the contacts are showing symptoms, they should be tested. That requires a scale up, because many countries have not been systematically testing all suspect cases. Its one of the reasons why we are behind in this epidemic. So we need that to happen. Secondly, there are many manufacturers producing tests. Who is contracted with the manufacture and production test mainly aimed at supporting developing countries. Im sure that poland and through the European Union, poland has access to other countries that are testing in the academic or the private sector. If there is a need, any country may contact who and we will either pointing to a manufacturer or if needed, provide them with emergency testing capacities. Thank you very much. I hope that answers the question. To simone simon from today in africa. Thank you for taking my question. I am with today news africa in washington, d. C. Coronavirus is in 30 countries and 600 people have been affected. You still have big religious gatherings. A popular pastor in nigeria has the 27thfollowers that of march. Do you think now is the time to gatherings,igious bringing people together in africa. I will repeat the question for everyone. Question is about big religious gatherings in africa. Is this a risky thing . All, congratulations to many of our Member States in africa who have reacted quickly necessaryplace the testing and equipment. In africa, they deal with epidemics every day of every year, unfortunately. At the moment, the incidence of covid19 in africa is low. It may be higher due to lack of detection but africa still has the opportunity to avoid some of the worst impacts of the epidemic and prepare itself prepare its health system. African countries are looking at all of the different options. And the what works best for them. Time, allment in countries that have disease within their borders need to , includingsures banning large Mass Gatherings. But we understand that depending on where countries are, those decisions are based on different Risk Management factors. But, in principle, whos view at this moment, is all countries with Community Transmission or clusters of cases inside the country, in order to avoid the disease amplification should be seriously considering delaying or reducing Mass Gatherings that bring people together in an intense way and have the potential to amplify and spread disease. Particularly in large religious type gatherings that bring people from very far away into a very close contact. Dr. Tedros id like to add to what mike said. As of today, the number of cases reported from Subsaharan Africa is 273 cases and four deaths. Its actually in terms of confirmed cases, its the lowest region. But as mike said, we cannot take this number as the number of cases we have in africa, probably we have undetected cases or unreported cases. In addition to that, even if we take this 233 cases are true, we have to prepare for the worst. In other countries we have seen how the virus actually accelerates after a certain tipping point. So the best advice for africa is to prepare for the worst and prepare today. Its actually better if these numbers are really true to cut it from the bud. Thats why were saying we have to do the testing, we have to do the Contact Tracing, we have to do the isolation and cut it from the bud. With regard to mass gathering and so on, it will help if we avoid that. Who recommendation is actually, Mass Gatherings should it be avoided and we should do all we can to cut if from the bud expecting that the worst could happen because we have seen how the virus really speeds up and accelerates in either continents or countries. So thats our advice and i think africa should wake up. My continent should wake up. Thank you. Tariq thank you very much, dr. Tetros and dr. Ryan. Lets try to get to musef from [speaking foreign language] tariq our friend musef is asking about sanctions to iran and how sanctions on iran have impacted the capacity of the country to respond to this outbreak. Dr. Ryan weve been working very closely with the authorities in iran and with many, many countries around the world now who have worked with us to ensure that iran gets the assistance and help that it needs. Weve again said right the way through this epidemic that we want to avoid politicization of these events and we thank those members states. There are a wide range of Member States from different political and different persuasions and ideologies who have agreed to act in solidarity together to support irans situation. We are focused as we have been on providing lab supplies and reagents in supplying ppe and in ensuring that iran has access to the markets it needs to do that. Weve been working at a very detailed level, not only through the sanctions, but through the Banking System and others to free up the necessary resources and to free up and provide the necessary assurances to companies and others that they can with comfort and without fear of any consequence, supply iran with the essential medical equipment and supplies for the purposes of the control of covid19. The dg may wish to speak on some of his political engagements that have successfully ensured that the circumstance has come to pass. Dr. Mike ryan 21 43 we are in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in iran and all over the world and will ensure that every citizen in every country has the opportunity to Access Global goods at this point in time. Dr. Tedros thank you very much. The only thing i would like to add to that is were already in contact with senior officials from iran. I had spoken to the minister of health yesterday and also had a chance to speak to secretary pompeo yesterday and we have underlined the need for solidarity. I remind all of us or the statement that the United States and especially secretary pompeo issued some weeks ago and we have discussed on how best that can be implemented. Dr. Tedros 22 40 as mike said, some of the process, especially with banking and so on, but in emergency situations, the sanctions can be addressed and this is already agreed from the u. S. Side and thats why we had the statement. We hope that we will have the needed solidarity to fight this enemy together. Dr. Tedros 23 13 at the same time, i would like to use this opportunity to tank the crown prince. He sent the second round of support to iran the day before yesterday, aircraft charters, shipping materials needed, and thats what were calling for, the whole world for the time. I think were in the most important solution and fighting an enemy like this dangerous virus is solidarity and we hope this spirit will continue. Tariq thank you very much. And really sorry, musef, well try to take your second question next time. Just to say that we all miss our geneva press corps. So speaking about, lets go to jamie. We miss jamie as well. Jamie, please go ahead and ask your question. One question. Jamie can you hear me . Tariq yes, please go ahead. Jamie okay, great. Hi, this is jamie from the associated press. Were wondering why might the death rates across europe be so variable . Italys death rate is at about 11 and they will soon overtake the Hubei Province in terms of numbers of deaths. While other countries like germany, france, spain, and the uk have reported far lower death rates, closer to one to 2 percent. What might explain that discrepancy . Thanks. Dr. Ryan hi, jamie. Yeah, i almost miss you as well. Its a good question. There are a number of factors that might explain that, but certainly one of them is testing. If you look at germany and we had some very good communication with germany today. Theyve had a very aggressive testing process. Theyve tested and confirmed over 6000 cases with just 13 deaths, but that may reflect the fact that theyre really aggressive in their testing strategy. So the number of tests and the number of confirmed cases may be detecting more mild cases as a proportion of all cases. Thats an important determination. Dr. Ryan the second issue is the evolution or the time of evolution and the outbreak. What we do see as a pattern of Long Hospital admission. So, italy, having experienced the first wave of major transmission much earlier than other European Countries is now experiencing those deaths because a lot of people reach a point where they can no longer be saved in the clinical system. So therefore the deaths occur sometimes two to three to four weeks after the infection starts. So again, you have to look at where each country is in the epidemic cycle. The other factor may be to do with the age profile of populations. For example, italy has a much older age profile and theres a higher proportion of people in the very elderly category. In some ways italy has been a poster child for Healthy People living into old age. Weve always asked ourselves the question why italians and People Living on the mediterranean are healthier and live longer lives. Unfortunately, in this case, having that older population may mean that the fatality rate appears higher because of the actual age distribution of the population underneath. There may be technical reasons as well in terms of the ability to provide standard of care. We saw this in china, we saw this in hubei, when you looked at the case fatalities inside hubei, there were significant differences in case fatality. Anyone whos ever worked in the front line of an emergency, when patient numbers begin to overwhelm, it becomes a simple factor of your ability to provide adequate care and react to every change in the patients condition in an intensive care environment. So i think there are circumstances in which the standard of care cannot be maintained when patients are being overwhelmed. I point you to the tremendously courageous and brave physicians and nurses and intensivists in italy who havent been dealing with one or two patients in intensive care, but for example, in northern italy, over 1200 patients in intensive care at the same time. Its an astonishing number. The fact that theyre saving so many is a miracle in itself. Dr. Ryan i think there are many factors, jamie and they all play into the actual numbers and maria may offer more Technical Advice on that. Maria the only thing to add is exactly where the virus is circulating in each country. You have to look at the demographics of where it is circulating. In korea, we had these clusters, these very la