Globally, over the past week, the number of new cases and deaths reported continued to decrease, with over 4.1 million new cases and 84 000 new deaths reported. The European Region reported the largest decline in new cases and deaths this week, followed by the South-East Asia Region. The Region of the Americas, Eastern Mediterranean, African, and Western Pacific Regions reported similar numbers of cases to the previous week.
While COVID-19 cases are slowing in the hard-hit regions of Europe and North America, much work remains to be done in countries facing surges in infections and other challenges including conflict. WHO is able to continue its work to fight the pandemic around the world thanks to the continued generous support from its donors and partners.
Countries across Europe send life-saving goods to help India’s fight against COVID-19
WHO European Member States are contributing to global efforts to send urgent life-saving supplies to India, following the rapid resurgence of COVID-19 in the country, which has placed unprecedented strain on the health system. Critical equipment such as oxygen concentrators, oxygen cylinders, electric syringe pumps, and therapeutics have been arriving to reinforce efforts to treat patients and save lives.In addition to direct support provided directly to India by Italy, Uzbekistan, the Russian Federation, France and others, WHO is coordinating and distributing critical joint shipments of equipment and supplies to help India meet its most urgent needs. This includes oxygen concentrators, personal protective equipment, mobile field hospitals and laboratory supplies. The WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia has provided laboratory supplies and medical respirator masks.
An estimated 2 600 WHO technical staff, from various programmes, such as polio, tuberculosis and neglected tropical diseases have been redeployed to support health authorities to respond to the pandemic.