Risk Assessment Report – 16 march 2020
Risk Assessment Report – 16 march 2020
Rapid Risk Assessment
March 16, 2020
Risk Assessment Report – 16 march 2020
Time Period Covered March 16, 2020 - March 16, 2020
- The WHO Director-General said that Europe has now become the epicenter of the pandemic, with more reported cases and deaths than the rest of the world combined, apart from China. Many countries are now acting on the eight pillars of WHO’s Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan.
- A WHO high-level technical mission concluded a visit to Iraq to support the Iraqi Ministry of Health in their COVID-19 prevention and containment measures. The mission, which comprised experts from the Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean Region and headquarters in Geneva, held a series of meetings with national health authorities to identify the disease detection dynamics and at-risk populations, in addition to providing guidance on strengthening response and control measures. WHO is working around the clock to establish 3 negative-pressure (contagious respiratory disease isolation) rooms in Baghdad, Erbil and Basra to accommodate patients who might require more sophisticated medical treatment.
- China, the original epicenter of the pandemic, continues to show decreasing trends in the number of cases and deaths. However, as of March 15, 132 out of the 150 affected countries saw an increase in the number of cases and/or deaths.
- Myanmar government on Friday (March 13) announced the restriction of mass gatherings and public events including the traditional Thingyan water festival until the end of April, according to an announcement issued by the President's Office. The move was made in light of the fact that the COVID-19 outbreak can rapidly spread through public gatherings, and the suspension period of public events will be extended if necessary, the announcement said.
- Malaysia’s Prime Minister Yassin announced that all mass gatherings, including conferences, sports meet and religious events, should be cancelled or postponed until April 30.
Risk Assessment Report – 16 march 2020