During a briefing via video conference for the diplomatic corps based in Denmark and Geneva, WHO Regional Director for Europe, Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, explained that the COVID-19 pandemic is accelerating and called for solidarity: “Let us be clear: many other countries particularly in the western part of the Region are now seeing widespread community transmission. Europe together with North America is now the epicentre of the pandemic”.
However, Dr Kluge also said that there are some encouraging results, with Italy seeing a reduction in the number of new cases. He had three messages for ambassadors:
- to work together, united on all fronts, to remove barriers to the response;
- to protect, support and mobilize the health workforce to continue to provide essential health-care services, as well as respond to COVID-19; and
- to implement what we know works, using aggressive blended actions that are tailored to the specific scenario.
Joining Dr Kluge on a panel were experts from WHO/Europe’s emergencies team, as well as Dr David Nabarro, a Special Envoy appointed by the WHO Director-General to provide strategic advice and high-level political advocacy on COVID-19.
Speaking to ambassadors, Dr Nabarro stressed 5 priorities as countries respond to COVID-19: 1) ensuring all societies are COVID-ready and able to identify and quickly isolate those with the disease; 2) looking after health systems, which are coming under increasing strain from the pandemic; 3) supporting governments in helping them manage the lockdown; 4) ensuring businesses can respond to market failures, while also producing vital equipment where necessary; and 5) ensuring solidarity within and between nations in their response to the pandemic.
Her Royal Highness, The Crown Princess of Denmark, and Patron of WHO/Europe also addressed the briefing, thanking ambassadors for attending and also expressing her appreciation for the work of both health workers and WHO staff responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Solidarity between countries and regions
In response to questions from ambassadors, the panel outlined the need for countries to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic in solidarity, noting that everyone was in this together. This included the need to ensure global coordination so that vital goods are not stuck at borders, while also making resources available to one another, particularly medical devices and personal protective equipment (PPE). Furthermore, countries should ensure that international experts are given access to affected countries and regions to provide support despite restrictive travel measures.
This follows an announcement yesterday of €30 million of support promised by the European Commission through WHO/Europe to Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. Dr Kluge also pointed out that WHO has been coordinating closely not only with the European Union, but also the Council of Newly Independent States and the Eurasian Economic Union on COVID-19.
Countries were also encouraged to take note of the best practice highlighted by WHO with regards to identifying, testing and tracing the contacts of confirmed cases of COVID-19 to help limit transmission. In addition, governments should advise and help communities to ensure that anyone isolated due to COVID-19 is comfortable and supported. Advice based on best practice can help avoid confusion among the general population, as well as businesses, on what measures they are required to take.
To this end, WHO/Europe is launching a new initiative, the Health Systems Response Monitor, to map the policy measures taken by countries on an accessible and continuously updated platform.
Support for health-care workers
The panel also called for continued support for health-care workers, who are working tirelessly in response to the pandemic.
Support includes the provision of necessary PPE, but Dr Nabarro also pointed to the importance of social support to ensure that health-care workers can go to work safe in the knowledge that their families are being looked after, for example with childcare. In addition, health-care workers need to be able to get necessary supplies quickly, for example while shopping in supermarkets.
Physical distancing
Many countries across the WHO European Region have introduced strict lockdown measures, advising people to follow physical distancing guidance. While these measures appear to be having an impact on curbing virus spread, the panel also recognized their significant social and economic impact.
Governments and leaders are taking bold steps in communicating the need for these measures, but were also advised to make sure that any partial lifting of restrictions does not result in another rise in cases.
In addition to this, ambassadors were advised to remember the mental health of their populations, particularly those suffering from loneliness, existing mental health conditions, domestic violence and chronic illnesses, who may be in lockdown or self-isolation.
WHO/Europe continues to communicate regularly with countries and partners in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr Kluge has committed to holding briefings with the diplomatic corps every two weeks.