Coronavirus global health emergency

The Secretary-General speaking at a black marble podium with a golden UN emblem.

Corruption is the ultimate betrayal of public trust

Corruption is criminal, immoral and the ultimate betrayal of public trust. It is even more damaging in times of crisis – as the world is experiencing now with the COVID-19 pandemic. Together, we must create more robust systems for accountability, transparency and integrity without delay. 

Woman and a girl share a desk while working on their laptops.
Department for General Assembly and Conference Management
12 Oct 2020 | Secretariat

In focus: The New York translation services during COVID-19

When the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic abruptly curtailed on-site activities at Headquarters and other UN premises, the translation services transitioned to remote working almost seamlessly, continuing without interruption their important role as guarantors of multilingualism.

mother and child on the beach
António Guterres
06 Oct 2020 | Health, Secretary-General

"Scale up investment in Universal Health Coverage and in stronger health systems"

Nine months since we first heard of COVID-19, the pandemic has claimed more than one million lives and infected more than 30 million people in 190 countries. Infections are rising and there are troubling signs of new waves. Much about the virus remains unknown. But one basic fact is clear: the world was not prepared.

 

Caroleen Masawi performs to raise awareness for COVID-19. United Nations photo: Sirak Gebrehiwot/UN Zimbabwe
RCO Zimbabwe
01 Oct 2020 | UNICs

Musicians strike a chord against COVID-19

In Zimbabwe, the coronavirus—while still fairly contained—threatens to overwhelm an already strained health system and reverse gains made over the years in the areas of maternal health, child care, immunization, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. 

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WHO: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Pandemic

The World Health Organization (WHO) is working closely with global experts, governments and partners to rapidly expand scientific knowledge on this new virus, to track the spread and virulence of the virus, and to provide advice to countries and individuals on measures to protect health and prevent the spread of this outbreak. 

WHO’s response in countries

Find out how the WHO is working across its 149 country offices to assist communities all over the world.

What is a Coronavirus?

Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases. Find out more about this novel coronavirus (nCoV) that has not been previously identified in humans.

More on the coronavirus
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FAQs

What are the symptoms of COVID-19? How can I protect myself? Should I worry about COVID-19? Get the answers.

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Information from the UN System

Everyone is talking about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Be sure to get your facts from reliable sources. The UN offices, field missions, agencies, funds and programmes are providing new information as it becomes available. Here are some of their resource pages.

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Information for UN personnel

The United Nations is closely monitoring the situation with the COVID-19 outbreak. This page features important advisories, guidelines, resources, and materials on the COVID-19 outbreak for all UN duty stations, offices, personnel and their families, visitors, and UN healthcare workers, as well as advice on maintaining wellness. It is updated with the latest available information.

 

Meetings

Get information on UN meetings that are being held virtually due to COVID-19.

 

Documents

General Assembly resolutions

Secretary-General's reports

 

Video

Broadcast-quality video 

UN WebTV COVID-19 playlist

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Communication Materials

Social media posters, advice for patients and health workers and key scenarios for printing

Novel Coronavirus Situation

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A mother and doctor tend to a young girl with COVID-19

15 October 2020- COVID-19 is now the fifth leading cause of death in Europe, where nearly 700,000 cases were reported this week: the highest weekly incidence since the pandemic began in March, the regional head of the UN World Health Organization (WHO) told journalists on Thursday. 

 

13 October 2020 - The COVID-19 pandemic has not only led to a “dramatic loss” of human life but also constitutes an “unprecedented challenge” to public health, food systems and employment, a group of leading UN agencies said on Tuesday.

 

A woman and a small child look at the camera from behind a mesh curtain.

12 October 2020 - Using the principle of so-called “herd immunity” to stem the COVID-19 pandemic is “unethical” and “not an option” countries should pursue to defeat the virus, the UN health agency chief warned on Monday.

What are serological surveys? How do they help you assess your risk of COVID-19? WHO’s Chief Scientist Dr Soumya Swaminathan explains in Science in 5. Science in 5 is WHO’s series in which WHO experts explain the science about specific issues related to COVID-19. Watch these short videos on WHO’s YouTube, Instagram Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn accounts or listen to the podcasts. 

Bill Gates, Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, delivers a video message at the high-level side event "Accelerating the end of the COVID-19 pandemic." The Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator, is a groundbreaking global collaboration to accelerate development, production, and equitable access to COVID-19 tests, treatments, and vaccines.

 

Dr. Natalia Kanem looks, with a tender smile, at a midwife standing next to her.

"[I]t's heartbreaking and enraging that some of the predictions that UNFPA made when we saw that the pandemic was going to involve lockdowns and movement restrictions, have actually come to pass [...] I still am very worried about the situation of women who can be trapped with an abuser. And now you have a lockdown in your country, and you don't know where to turn and nobody's there when you call the hotline..."

In this episode of Awake At Night, Natalia Kanem, Executive Director of UNFPA, speaks about how she is working to deliver a world where every young person's potential is fulfilled.