Risk Assessment Report – 21 February 2020
Risk Assessment Report – 21 February 2020
Rapid Risk Assessment
February 21, 2020
Risk Assessment Report – 21 February 2020
Time Period Covered February 21, 2020 - February 21, 2020
- China revised the guidance on case classification for COVID-19, removing the classification of “clinically diagnosed” previously used for Hubei province, and retaining only “suspected” and “confirmed” for all areas, the latter requiring laboratory confirmation. Some previously reported “clinically diagnosed” cases are thus expected to be discarded over the coming days as laboratory testing is conducted and some are found to be COVID-19-negative.
- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met ASEAN Secretary-General, Philippine and Singaporean foreign ministers met on Wednesday February 19, 2020 to discuss the joint combat against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic. According to ASEAN SecretaryGeneral, China is an important strategic partner of ASEAN and in the face of the novel coronavirus epidemic, ASEAN firmly stands with China. The meeting resulted to China and ASEAN joining hands in meeting common challenges, and exploring and reaching new consensus on boosting cooperation on regional health.
- Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh had bilateral meetings with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Saleumxay Kommasith in Vientine on February 19, 2020. Vietnam and Lao shared mutual concerns over the development of COVID-19 and agreed that ASEAN countries should strengthen coordination and take prompt actions to cope with the disease.
- After partially lifting the travel ban on Taiwan, the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (AITF-EID) of Philippines have now allowed Filipinos to travel to Hong Kong and Macau even if cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continue to be reported worldwide. The Secretary of Health said the travelers must sign a declaration signifying their knowledge and understanding of the risks involved.
- Thailand’s Prime Minister has ordered precautionary plans to cope with Stage 3 spread of COVID-19. Thailand’s Committee for Emerging Infectious Diseases has been instructed to develop precautionary measures to cope with a Stage 3 spread of COVID-19 in the country. Currently, Thailand is at Stage 2—which means that it is capable of containing the virus from spreading.
Risk Assessment Report – 21 February 2020