Trump announces intention to suspend WHO funding at Dadhaleh Institute

Trump announces intention to suspend WHO funding

During this unprecedented global pandemic, U.S. President Trump announced his intention to suspend funding to the WHO over accusations of mismanagement. The move has been roundly criticized by many governments and the [... ]a few seconds.

During this unprecedented global pandemic, U.S. President Trump announced his intention to suspend funding to the WHO over accusations of mismanagement. The move has been roundly criticized by many governments and the EU, global health experts as well as the UN Secretary General. The U.S., meanwhile, has raised questions about its own handling of the pandemic, as it remains the epicentre with almost a third of all worldwide cases (644,806) and over 20% of all COVID-related deaths. The five worst affected countries (U.S., Spain, Italy, Germany, France) account for over 60% of all cases and almost 80% of deaths globally.

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U.S. National Plan for Contact Tracing published

On Monday, the Center for Health Security published a National Plan for Contact Tracing in the U.S. that estimates an“army” of 100,000 additional workers would be required. Meanwhile, healthcare workers have been [... ]less than a minute.

On Monday, the Center for Health Security published a National Plan for Contact Tracing in the U.S. that estimates an“army” of 100,000 additional workers would be required. Meanwhile, healthcare workers have been disproportionately affected by the Coronavirus, and in multiple hospitals have been asked to work while possibly infected. There are also reports that the U.S. government is exploring surveillance measures adopted by some countries (including China and Israel) that may violate civil liberties, while troops are also reportedly being readied to assist with COVID public health measures. Meanwhile, the U.S. CDC and Public Health Agency of Canada shifted its messaging by recommending face coverings in public where other social distancing steps are hard to maintain.

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Suspended national immunization programs may put 117 million children at risk of measles

UNICEF has warned that 117 million children could be at risk for measles as countries around the world are suspending national immunization programs in order to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection. [... ]a few seconds.

UNICEF has warned that 117 million children could be at risk for measles as countries around the world are suspending national immunization programs in order to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection. So far, 24 low- and middle-income countries (including 15 in Africa) have paused or postponed national immunization programs, as the head of GAVI urged advanced economies to maintain their funding commitments in the upcoming replenishment cycle.

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Countries adjust official figures

Several countries have made adjustments to their official figures over the last couple days, including China adding over 1,300 uncounted deaths from Wuhan. The broader challenge is that most models of the [... ]nearly a minute.

Several countries have made adjustments to their official figures over the last couple days, including China adding over 1,300 uncounted deaths from Wuhan. The broader challenge is that most models of the pandemic are based on prior figures from China and may need to be revised to reflect these significant adjustments. The U.S. CDC revising its case and death counts to reflect both confirmed and probable cases and deaths. With more than 675,000 total cases, the U.S. has more cases than the next four highest reporting countries combined, while accounting for almost 20% of all reported COVID-related deaths globally. Revelations of significantly higher rates of transmission and deaths in elderly care facilities contributed to Canada becoming the 15^th country to report at least 1,000 deaths, as total cases spiked by 30% this week to over 30,000. While the Canadian government announced that control and border measures will remain for months to come, the U.S. President yesterday outlined a Federal Plan to open up the country to widespread criticism by public health experts and government officials across the country. Total confirmed cases worldwide increased to 2.2 million, as the number of COVID-19 related deaths approach 150,000 as of Friday morning.

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Gates Foundation announces funding

The Gates Foundation announced an additional 150 Million USD commitment to fund and ensure equitable access to drugs, diagnostics and vaccines, while calling on world leaders to unite in a global response [... ]a few seconds.

The Gates Foundation announced an additional 150 Million USD commitment to fund and ensure equitable access to drugs, diagnostics and vaccines, while calling on world leaders to unite in a global response to COVID-19 to ensure equitable access.

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Debt obligations frozen

The G-20 agreed to freeze poor nations’ debt obligations on 15 April, shortly after nearly 20 European and African leaders made a joint appeal in the Financial Times for a massive international [... ]a few seconds.

The G-20 agreed to freeze poor nations' debt obligations on 15 April, shortly after nearly 20 European and African leaders made a joint appeal in the Financial Times for a massive international effort to boost Africa's coronavirus response, saying that "only a global victory that fully includes Africa can bring this pandemic to an end." France’s President Macron called this “a moral, human duty” and pushed further for debt rescheduling and, in some cases, debt cancellation, saying, "No region can win the battle against COVID-19 alone … if it is not beaten in Africa, it will return to haunt us all."

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Over 100,000 confirmed cases in humanitarian response locations

We do not have accurate figures on the scale of the outbreak for the nearly 168 million people that according to UNOCHA require humanitarian assistance and protection. In the 30 countries where [... ]a few seconds.

We do not have accurate figures on the scale of the outbreak for the nearly 168 million people that according to UNOCHA require humanitarian assistance and protection. In the 30 countries where humanitarian responses are currently underway, there are over 100,000 confirmed cases, including over 2,600 deaths. These figures are believed to be significantly higher due to critical shortages in testing and clinical public health capacity. It also excludes countries like Iran where UN humanitarian agencies do not operate, and where reported cases approach 80,000, including almost 5,000 COVID-related deaths.

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Despite highest case numbers in Africa, South Africa praised for proactive response

Despite reporting the highest number of cases on the continent, South Africa (2,506) has been praised for its proactive response. After a drastic drop in the rate of new daily reported cases [... ]a few seconds.

Despite reporting the highest number of cases on the continent, South Africa (2,506) has been praised for its proactive response. After a drastic drop in the rate of new daily reported cases from 42% (150-200 new cases per day) three weeks ago to an estimated 4% (20-80 new cases per day) following the government’s early and strong control and testing, the last four days have seen a slight uptick in case reports (90-140 new cases per day). The South African government, meanwhile, has proposed a comprehensive action plan to assist African countries with COVID-19 response.

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Director of the Africa CDC calls COVID-19 an existential threat to the continent

This week, the UN Economic Commission for Africa issued a projection that an estimated 300,000 and 3.3 million African people could lose their lives as a direct result of COVID-19, depending on the [... ]a few seconds.

This week, the UN Economic Commission for Africa issued a projection that an estimated 300,000 and 3.3 million African people could lose their lives as a direct result of COVID-19, depending on the intervention that governments introduce. As all 55 African countries are now reporting cases, the Director of the Africa CDC called COVID-19 an existential threat to the continent. Increased local transmission also contributing to exponential growth in some regions, particularly in the 24 countries that have confirmed at least 100 cases. As of this morning, there are almost 1,000 deaths and over 18,500 confirmed cases across Africa, representing a 30% increase over the past week.

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Northern Africa remains the most affected region on the continent

Northern Africa remains the most affected region on the continent, as Egypt surpassed South Africa with the highest number of confirmed cases (2,673), and Algeria (2,528) and Morocco (2,266) remaining close behind. [... ]a few seconds.

Northern Africa remains the most affected region on the continent, as Egypt surpassed South Africa with the highest number of confirmed cases (2,673), and Algeria (2,528) and Morocco (2,266) remaining close behind. Despite reporting over 2,600 cases, South Africa has been praised for its proactive response and for taking a regional leadership role in drafting a comprehensive action plan to assist African countries with COVID-19 response.

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Nigeria, Kenya see some tumultuous responses to lockdown

Boko Haram Islamic extremists in Nigeria portrayed social distancing measures that have closed mosques as an assault on the faith. Police violence in Kenya, aimed at enforcing the dawn-to dusk lockdown, has [... ]a few seconds.

Boko Haram Islamic extremists in Nigeria portrayed social distancing measures that have closed mosques as an assault on the faith. Police violence in Kenya, aimed at enforcing the dawn-to dusk lockdown, has led to 12 deaths thus far, greater than the 9 officially recorded deaths due to COVID-19.

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Regional Snapshot: Asia

Earlier today, China increased the number of COVID-related deaths in Wuhan by 50%, raising the country’s toll by 1,300 to 4,632. While the government claims this reflects updated hospital counts as well [... ]a minute and a half.

Earlier today, China increased the number of COVID-related deaths in Wuhan by 50%, raising the country’s toll by 1,300 to 4,632. While the government claims this reflects updated hospital counts as well as those who died at home, the revision in the reported figures partially validates accusations of under-reporting, including by intelligence agencies. The broader challenge is that most models of the pandemic are based on prior figures from China and may need to be revised to reflect these significant adjustments. In China, a cluster of cases linked to the Nigerian community in Guangzhou has also sparked alleged discrimination towards Africans by locals and virus prevention officials. Asian-Pacific countries are beginning to experience second waves of infections, including Singapore which is reporting the highest case rate in the region (500 cases per million people). Despite these spikes, the “suppress and lift” strategy of aggressive testing, isolation, and contact tracing by countries such as Singapore and Hong Kong remains a model response and has helped prevent exponential spread. In Iran, the number of reported cases and deaths approach 80,000 and 5,000, respectively. Fearing a protracted economic crisis, some “low-risk" businesses were allowed to open, prompting concerns of a second wave of infections. The government has asked for economic support and sanction relief from the IMF, which the U.S. has thus far blocked despite international pressure to sideline geopolitical tensions to allow countries to respond to the pandemic. With 13,835 confirmed cases, India has become the third Asian country to surpass the 10,000 mark. Like in Pakistan (7,025) and Bangladesh (1,838), the true outbreak size is expected to be significantly higher in India due to varying testing and counting strategies. In India, the government has extended the nation-wide lockdown until May 3, while food shortages and a mass exodus from major urban areas has raised concern about local transmission in rural parts of the country. There are positive reports that some states like Kerala have managed to bend the curve by adopting “aggressive testing, contact tracing, and cooked meals.”

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Regional Snapshot: Europe

Ten countries have now confirmed more than 1,000 COVID-related deaths, with 14 countries reporting more than 10,000 cases. With less than 17% of all confirmed cases globally, Italy and Spain continue to account for more [... ]a minute and a bit.

Ten countries have now confirmed more than 1,000 COVID-related deaths, with 14 countries reporting more than 10,000 cases. With less than 17% of all confirmed cases globally, Italy and Spain continue to account for more than 35% of all reported deaths (21,645 and 19,130, respectively). Both countries are experiencing a slow-down in the rates of transmission, however, and while Spain is beginning to relax control measures, Italy has extended lockdown measures until May. Sweden (12,540) is the latest country to exceed 10,000 cases, as the number of deaths doubled in less than a week, which has been blamed on its controversial voluntary public health measures. France (147,863) and Turkey (69,392) continue to experience significant daily increases in confirmed cases and deaths, while the U.K. is expected to see a drop in new cases and hospitalization, despite surpassing 10,000 deaths and approaching 100,000 cases. The U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson was moved out of Intensive Care over the weekend, noting “I owe (NHS staff) my life.” Transmission rates in Russia have also raised concerns, as daily reported cases continue to surge 20% for a second consecutive day, approaching 28,000 cases and 232 deaths. As the number of COVID-related deaths in Belgium surpass China, Germany is reporting an increase of COVID-related outbreaks in nursing homes and hospitals, where the elderly account for only 17% of cases but 86% of all deaths. Many European countries are also reporting high CFR near or above 10%, including Italy, Spain, France, the U.K., Netherlands, Belgium, and Sweden. This has been partly attributed to selective testing strategies, as a paper this week in BMJ suggests early and widespread testing may be contributing to Germany's relatively low CFR (2%). The European CDC has recommended that countries scale up testing and surveillance systems to guide and monitor the escalation and de-escalation of mitigation strategies.

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