Covid-19: Worldwide number nears 9-million
The World Health Organisation emphasised that dexamethasone should only be used for patients with severe or critical disease, under close clinical supervision.
By June 21, more than 183 000 new cases of Covid-19 were reported to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the most cases in a single day.
WHO director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that by the same date the global number of cases exceeded 8.8 million, with more than 465 000 deaths.
Media briefing on #COVID19 with @DrTedros https://t.co/pr6gUsfZTf
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) June 22, 2020
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Some countries are continuing to see a rapid increase in cases and deaths.
“Some countries that have successfully suppressed transmission are now seeing an upswing in cases as they reopen their societies and economies. We urge countries to be careful and creative in finding solutions that enable people to stay safe while getting on with their lives,” he said.
WHO urged countries to double down on public health measures such as:
• Finding and testing suspected cases.
• Isolating and caring for the sick.
• Tracing and quarantining contacts
• Protecting health workers.
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Ghebreyesus said the above measures can only be effective if individuals protect themselves and others through social distancing, hand washing and by wearing a mask.
“Although the data are still preliminary, the recent finding that the steroid dexamethasone has life-saving potential for critically ill Covid-19 patients gave us a much-needed reason to celebrate. The next challenge is to increase production and rapidly and equitably distribute dexamethasone worldwide, focusing on where it is needed most.”
He said demand for the steroid already surged, following the UK trial results showing dexamethasone’s benefit.
“Fortunately, this is an inexpensive medicine and there are many dexamethasone manufacturers worldwide who we are confident can accelerate production.”
Countries must work together to ensure supplies are prioritised for countries where there are large numbers of critically ill patients and that supplies remain available to treat other diseases for which it is needed. It is also important to check that suppliers can guarantee quality, as there is a high risk of substandard or falsified products entering the market.”
WHO emphasised that dexamethasone should only be used for patients with severe or critical disease, under close clinical supervision.
The organisation’s Covid-19 supply portal allows countries in need of personal protective equipment and laboratory diagnostics, to make requests online.
“So far, 48 countries have made requests for supplies and the organisation is in the process of shipping more than 140 million items of personal protective equipment to 135 countries, 14 000 oxygen concentrators and millions of tests,” said Ghebreyesus.
"WHO emphasizes that #dexamethasone should only be used for patients with severe or critical #COVID19, under close clinical supervision.
There is no evidence this drug works for patients with mild disease or as a preventive measure, and it could cause harm"-@DrTedros
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) June 22, 2020
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