| Coronavirus disease - Data as reported by 10AM CET24 February 2020* |
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| Sanatate |
| Marţi, 25 Februarie 2020 00:23 |
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SITUATION IN NUMBERS total and new cases in last 24 hours Globally 79 331 confirmed (715new) China 77 262 confirmed (415 new )2595 deaths (150 new) Outside of China 2069 confirmed (300new) 29 countries (1 new) 23deaths (6new) WHO RISK ASSESSMENT China Very High Regional Level High Global Level High
HIGHLIGHTS •One new Member State (Kuwait)reported cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. •Since the emergence of COVID-19 we have seen instances of public stigmatization among specific populations, and the rise of harmful stereotypes. Stigmatization could potentially contribute to more severe health problems, ongoing transmission, and difficulties controlling infectious diseases during an epidemic.Please see the Subject in Focus section for more information on how to counter stigmatizing attitudes.
SUBJECT IN FOCUS:Risk Communications to Address StigmaStigma occurs when people negatively associate an infectious disease, such as COVID-19, with a specific population. In the case of COVID-19, there are an increasing number of reports of public stigmatization against people from areas affected by the epidemic. Unfortunately, this means that people are being labelled, stereotyped, separated, and/or experience loss of status and discrimination because of apotentialnegative affiliation with the disease.Given that COVID-19 is a new disease, it is understandable that its emergence and spread cause confusion,anxiety and fear among the general public. These factors can give rise to harmful stereotypes. Stigma can: •Drive people to hide the illness to avoid discrimination •Prevent people from seeking health care immediately •Discourage them from adopting healthy behaviours Such barriers could potentially contribute to more severe health problems, ongoing transmission, and difficulties controlling infectious diseases during an infectious disease outbreak. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), UNICEF and the WHO are developing community-basedguides and global campaigns to thwart the effects of stigma on people and the COVID-19 response. Do your part.Governments, citizens, media, key influencers and communities have an important role to play in preventing and stopping stigma. We all need tobe intentional and thoughtful when communicating on social media and other communication platforms, showing supportive behaviors around COVID-19.Here are some examples and tips on possible actions to counter stigmatizing attitudes: •Spreading the facts: Stigma can be heightened by insufficient knowledge about how the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is transmitted and treated, and how to prevent infection. •Engaging social influencerssuch as religious leaders on prompting reflection about people who are stigmatized and how to support them, or respected celebrities to amplify messages that reduce stigma. •Amplify the voices, stories and images of local people who have experienced COVID-19 and have recovered or who have supported a loved one through recovery to emphasise that most people do recover from COVID-19.•Make sure you portray different ethnic groups. Materials should show diverse communities that are being affected, and show communities working together to prevent the spread of COVID-19. •Balanced reporting.Media reporting should be balanced and contextualised, disseminating evidence-based information and helping combat rumour and misinformation that could lead to stigmatisation.•Link up.There are a number ofinitiatives to address stigma and stereotyping. It is key to link up to these activities to create a movement and a positive environment that shows care and empathy for all . *
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES WHO’s strategic objectives for this response are to: •Limit human-to-human transmission including reducing secondary infections among close contacts and health care workers, preventing transmission amplification events, and preventing further international spread from China*; •Identify, isolate and care for patients early, including providing optimized care for infected patients;•Identify and reduce transmission from the animal source; •Address crucial unknowns regarding clinical severity, extent of transmission and infection, treatment options, and accelerate the development of diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines; •Communicate critical risk and event information to all communities and counter misinformation;•Minimize social and economic impact through multisectoral partnerships. *This can be achieved through a combination of public health measures, such as rapid identification, diagnosis and management of the cases, identification and follow up of the contacts, infection prevention and control in healthcare settings, implementation of health measures for travelers, awareness-raising in the populationand risk communication.
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RECOMMENDATIONS AND ADVICEFOR THE PUBLIC During previous outbreaks due to other coronavirus (Middle-East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), human-to-human transmission occurred through droplets, contact and fomites, suggesting that the transmission mode ofthe COVID-19can be similar.The basic principles to reduce the general risk of transmission of acute respiratory infections include the following: •Avoiding close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections. •Frequent hand-washing, especially after direct contact with ill people or their environment.•Avoiding unprotected contact with farm or wild animals. •People with symptoms of acute respiratory infection should practicecough etiquette (maintain distance, cover coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues or clothing, and wash hands). •Within healthcare facilities, enhance standard infection prevention and control practices in hospitals, especially in emergency departments.WHO does not recommend any specific health measures for travellers. In case of symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness either during or after travel, travellers are encouraged to seek medical attention and share their travel history with their healthcare provider
* * * **-- Organizatia Mondiala a Sanatatii |
