One of the world’s leading health officials has called on all countries affected to tackle the coronavirus pandemic through comprehensive testing.
The World Health Organisation’s (WHO’s) director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has called for more urgency in the global fight against covid-19.
Speaking at a press conference in Geneva on Monday afternoon, he recommended every country “test every suspected covid-19 case”.
Dr Tedros said: “We have seen a rapid escalation in social distancing measures, like closing schools and cancelling sporting events and other gatherings.
“But we haven’t seen an urgent enough escalation in testing, isolation and contact tracing, which is the backbone of the covid-19 response.
“Social distancing measures can help to reduce covid-19 transmission and enable health systems to cope.
“Handwashing and coughing into your elbow can reduce the risk for yourself and others.
“But on their own, they aren’t enough to extinguish this covid-19 pandemic. It’s the combination that makes the difference. As I keep saying, all countries must take a comprehensive approach.
“But the most effective way to prevent infections and save lives is breaking the chains of covid-19 transmission. To do that, you must test and isolate.
“You cannot fight a fire blindfolded. And we cannot stop this pandemic if we don’t know who is infected.
“We have a simple message for all countries: test test test. Test every suspected covid-19 case.
“If they test positive, isolate them and find out who they have been in close contact with up to two days before they developed symptoms and test those people too.”
"Once again, our key message is:
test,
test,
test.This is a serious disease. Although the evidence we have suggests that those over 60 are at highest risk, young people, including children, have died"-@DrTedros #COVID19 #coronavirus
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) March 16, 2020
He added: “This is a serious disease. Although the evidence we have suggests that those over 60 are at highest risk, young people, including children, have died.
“WHO has issued new clinical guidance, with specific details on how to care for children, older people and pregnant women.”
As of Monday afternoon 1,543 people had contracted covid-19 across the UK. In Scotland the figure sits at 171.
It comes after plans were revealed to expand testing for the virus across Scottish communities.
However people with minor symptoms will not be routinely tested. The advice for those who are not severely ill is to remain at home for seven days.
More to follow.
