More than half a million people across the world have now contracted coronavirus, with in excess of 20,000 deaths.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the World Health Organisation (WHO), said the new figures were “tragic numbers” but encouraged people to remember that “around the world there are hundreds of thousands of survivors”.
He also said a covid-19 vaccine is at least a year away.
He added: “There are now more than half a million confirmed cases of Covid-19 and more than 20,000 deaths.
Media briefing on #COVID19 with @DrTedros. #coronavirus https://t.co/VDzh2GSuPM
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) March 27, 2020
“These are tragic numbers, but let’s also remember that around the world there are hundreds of thousands of survivors.”
Dr Tedros confirmed a “historic” trial is under way across Norway and Spain to test the effectiveness and safety of a number of drugs and drug combinations for use in the fight against covid-19.
He said: “A vaccine is still at least 12 to 18 months away. In the meantime we recognise that there is an urgent need for therapeutics to treat patients and save lives.
“Today we are delighted to announce that in Norway and Spain the first patients will shortly be enrolled in the Solidarity Trial, which will compare the safety and effectiveness of four different drugs or drug combinations against covid-19.
“This is a historic trial which will dramatically cut the time needed to generate robust evidence about what drugs work.
“More than 45 countries are contributing to the trial, and more have expressed interest. The more countries who join the trial, the faster we will have results.”
On personal protective equipment, he added: “The chronic global shortage is now one of the most urgent threats to our collective ability to save lives.
“When health workers are at risk, we are all at risk.
“WHO has shipped almost 2 million individual items of protective gear to 74 countries that need it most, and we’re preparing to send a similar amount to a further 60 countries.”
Dr Tedros urged countries across the world to “fight to stop the coronavirus with every resource at our disposal”.
He added: “Unite to confront the covid-19 pandemic together. We are one humanity, with one, common enemy. No country can fight alone; we can only fight together”.
The US now has more than 85,000 confirmed cases and Italy is set to pass China’s 81,782 infections.
Italy recorded 969 more deaths on Friday to reach 9,134, the highest figure in the world.
Dr Tedros added: “We must also make a promise to future generations, saying never again.
“Viral outbreaks are a fact of life. How much damage they do is something we can influence.
“I thank the G20 countries for their commitment to fight the pandemic, safeguard the global economy, address international trade disruptions and enhance global cooperation.”
He said the “common themes” from discussions with officials from China, Japan, South Korea and Singapore were that early detection and isolation of confirmed cases, contact tracing, optimised care and communication were the key to fighting the virus.
