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COVID-19 is the infectious disease caused by the coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, which is a respiratory pathogen.: WHO first learned of this new virus from cases in Wuhan, People’s Republic of China on 31 December 2019. This is a colorized scanning electron micrograph of an apoptotic cell (red) heavily infected with SARS-COV-2 virus particles (yellow), isolated from a patient sample. Image captured at the NIAID Integrated Research Facility (IRF) in Fort Detrick, Maryland. NIAID National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

“Almost 50 million cases of COVID-19 have now been reported to WHO, and more than 1.2 million people have lost their lives,” announced Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) on November 9, 2020.

“Millions more have died due to disruption of essential health services. 

“But this pandemic has also taken a toll in ways that no one can measure. 

“We can’t measure the grief of families who weren’t able to say goodbye to their loved ones. 

"We can’t measure the fear felt by so many in the face of an uncertain future.

“No one knows the long-term effects of this virus on the human body, or on the type of world our children and grandchildren will inherit. 

“Although this is a global crisis, we must remember that countries have responded differently, and they have been affected differently. 

“Half of all cases and deaths are in just four countries.

“There are many countries and cities that have successfully prevented or controlled transmission with a comprehensive, evidence-based approach. 

“Nevertheless, several countries, especially in Europe and the Americas, have now re-introduced restrictions to address the new wave of infections they are facing, and prevent their health systems from being overwhelmed.

“We might be tired of COVID-19. But it is not tired of us.”

The same day, a promising vaccine candidate against Covid-19 was announced by Pfizer and Biontech: 

·      Vaccine candidate was found to be more than 90% effective in preventing COVID-19 in participants without evidence of prior SARS-CoV-2 infection in the first interim efficacy analysis

• Analysis evaluated 94 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in trial participants
• Study enrolled 43,538 participants, with 42% having diverse backgrounds, and no serious safety concerns have been observed; Safety and additional efficacy data continue to be collected
• Submission for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) planned for soon after the required safety milestone is achieved, which is currently expected to occur in the third week of November
• Clinical trial to continue through to final analysis at 164 confirmed cases in order to collect further data and characterize the vaccine candidate’s performance against other study endpoints

“Today is a great day for science and humanity. The first set of results from our Phase 3 COVID-19 vaccine trial provides the initial evidence of our vaccine’s ability to prevent COVID-19,” said Dr. Albert Bourla, Pfizer Chairman and CEO.

“We are reaching this critical milestone in our vaccine development program at a time when the world needs it most with infection rates setting new records, hospitals nearing over-capacity and economies struggling to reopen. With today’s news, we are a significant step closer to providing people around the world with a much-needed breakthrough to help bring an end to this global health crisis. We look forward to sharing additional efficacy and safety data generated from thousands of participants in the coming weeks.

“I want to thank the thousands of people who volunteered to participate in the clinical trial, our academic collaborators and investigators at the study sites, and our colleagues and collaborators around the world who are dedicating their time to this crucial endeavor,” added Bourla.

“We could not have come this far without the tremendous commitment of everyone involved.”

 The companies have posted an updated version of the study protocol at https://www.pfizer.com/science/coronavirus.

While the world awaits a vaccine, people throughout the world are being encouraged by WHO, national, and local public health authorities to protect themselves and others from Covid-19. 

WHO recommends that “If COVID-19 is spreading in your community, stay safe by taking some simple precautions, such as physical distancing, wearing a mask, keeping rooms well ventilated, avoiding crowds, cleaning your hands, and coughing into a bent elbow or tissue. Check local advice where you live and work. Do it all!”

Specific WHO Advice Includes:

What to do to keep yourself and others safe from COVID-19?

 ·                Maintain at least a 1-metre distance between yourself and others to reduce your risk of infection when they cough, sneeze or speak. Maintain an even greater distance between yourself and others when indoors. The further away, the better.

 ·                Make wearing a mask a normal part of being around other people.

This animation explains who should wear medical and fabric masks in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Here are the basics of how to wear a mask:

·                Clean your hands before you put your mask on, as well as before and after you take it off.

·                Make sure it covers both your nose, mouth and chin.

Here are some specifics on what type of mask to wear and when, depending on how much virus is circulating where you live, where you go and who you are.

            Wear a fabric mask unless you’re in a particular risk group. This is especially important when you can’t stay physically distanced, particularly in crowded and poorly ventilated indoor settings.

Wear a medical/surgical mask if you:

            Are over 60,

            Have underlying medical conditions,

            Are feeling unwell, and/or

            Are looking after an ill family member. 

·                For more public advice on masks, read our Q&A and watch our videos. There is also a Q&A focused on masks and children.

·                For health workers, medical masks are essential personal protective equipment when engaging with patients with suspected, probable or confirmed COVID-19. Respirator masks (such as FFP2, FFP3, N95, N99) should be used in settings where procedures generating aerosols are performed and must be fitted to ensure the right size is worn.

·                Find out more about the science of how COVID-19 infects people and our bodies react by watching or reading this interview.

How to make your environment safer:

·                Avoid the 3Cs: spaces that are closed, crowded or involve close contact.

Outbreaks have been reported in restaurants, choir practices, fitness classes, nightclubs, offices and places of worship where people have gathered, often in crowded indoor settings where they talk loudly, shout, breathe heavily or sing.

The risks of getting COVID-19 are higher in crowded and inadequately ventilated spaces where infected people spend long periods of time together in close proximity. These environments are where the virus appears to spread by respiratory droplets or aerosols more efficiently, so taking precautions is even more important.

·                Meet people outside. Outdoor gatherings are safer than indoor ones, particularly if indoor spaces are small and without outdoor air coming in.

For more information on how to hold events like family gatherings, children’s football games and family occasions, read our Q&A on small public gatheringsAvoid crowded or indoor settings but if you can’t, then take precautions:

Open a window. Increase the amount of ‘natural ventilation’ when indoors.

WHO has published Q&As on ventilation and air conditioning for both the general public and people who manage public spaces and buildings.

Wear a mask (see above for more details).

Don’t forget the basics of good hygiene

          See: https://www.who.int/health-topics/water-sanitation-and-hygiene-wash

·                Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. This eliminates germs including viruses that may be on your hands.

·                Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and infect you.

·                Cover your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately into a closed bin and wash your hands. By following good ‘respiratory hygiene’, you protect the people around you from viruses, which cause colds, flu and COVID-19.

·                Clean and disinfect surfaces frequently especially those which are regularly touched, such as door handles, faucets and phone screens.

What to do if you feel unwell

·                Know the full range of symptoms of COVID-19. The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Other symptoms that are less common and may affect some patients include loss of taste or smell, aches and pains, headache, sore throat, nasal congestion, red eyes, diarrhoea, or a skin rash.

·                Stay home and self-isolate even if you have minor symptoms such as cough, headache, mild fever, until you recover. Call your health care provider or hotline for advice. Have someone bring you supplies. If you need to leave your house or have someone near you, wear a medical mask to avoid infecting others.

·                If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention immediately. Call by telephone first, if you can and follow the directions of your local health authority.

·                Keep up to date on the latest information from trusted sources, such as WHO or your local and national health authorities. Local and national authorities and public health units are best placed to advise on what people in your area should be doing to protect themselves.

https://www.who.int/director-general/speeches/detail/who-director-general-s-opening-remarks-at-the-world-health-assembly---9-november-2020?

 Published on the Horizon International Solutions Site on 10 November 2020.