Risk Assessment Report – 19 February 2020
Risk Assessment Report – 19 February 2020
Rapid Risk Assessment
February 19, 2020
Risk Assessment Report – 19 February 2020
Time Period Covered February 19, 2020 - February 19, 2020
- WHO Operations Support and Logistics (OSL) continues to gather and assess the needs of Member States for critical items such as personal protective equipment (PPE). The country- level perspective is aggregated to obtain a global view on the overall demand for PPE necessary for frontline healthcare workers. Due to the growing demand and consumption of PPE, OSL is collaborating with WHO disease specialists to develop and disseminate a guiding document on the rational use of PPE. On 14 February, OSL started the dispatch of laboratory COVID-19 testing kits for 56 countries. As of 17 February, 37 shipments have been dispatched to 34 countries and three regional offices. (WHO Situational Report No. 29).
- Singapore has implemented the Stay-Home Notices for all Singapore residents and long-term pass holders returning from China taking effect from 18 February. They will not be allowed to leave home during the next 14 days. Additional 4 cases in Singapore which three linked to the biggest cluster - the Grace Assembly of God Church. The church has now been linked to 21 cases, or about a quarter of the total of 81 confirmed cases.
- Following the confirmation of infection aboard the MS Westerdam Cruise Ship, the Malaysian authorities banned passengers who had traveled on the luxury cruise ship from entry to Malaysia.
- The Thai Public Health Ministry announced on February 19 that no flights carrying passengers from the barred cruise ship MS Westerdam, whether chartered flights or otherwise, will be allowed to land in Thailand until the end of February. Department of Disease Control deputy chief Dr Thanarak Palitpat says the decision is the result of a discussion among authorities including the DDC, the Immigration Bureau and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs last February 17, 2020.
- Passengers onboard the Diamond Princess, which has been quarantined in Yokohama’s harbour for two weeks, began disembarking today (February 19, 2020) after testing negative for the disease.
Risk Assessment Report – 19 February 2020