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WHO releases guidelines to help countries maintain essential health services during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic is straining health systems worldwide. The rapidly increasing demand on health facilities and health care workers threatens to leave some health systems overstretched and unable to operate effectively.

Previous outbreaks have demonstrated that when health systems are overwhelmed, mortality from vaccine-preventable and other treatable conditions can also increase dramatically. During the 2014-2015 Ebola outbreak, the increased number of deaths caused
by measles, malaria, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis attributable to health system failures exceeded deaths from Ebola
^[1,2].

“The best defense against any outbreak is a
strong health system,” stressed WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
“COVID-19 is revealing how fragile many of the world’s health systems and
services are, forcing countries to make difficult choices on how to best meet
the needs of their people.”

To help countries navigate through these challenges, the World Health Organization (WHO) has updated operational planning guidelines in balancing the demands of responding directly to COVID-19 while maintaining essential health service delivery, and mitigating
the risk of system collapse. This includes a set of targeted immediate actions that countries should consider at national, regional, and local level to reorganize and maintain access to high-quality essential health services for all.

Countries should identify essential services that will be prioritized in their efforts to maintain continuity of service delivery and make strategic shifts to ensure that increasingly limited resources provide maximum benefit for the population. They
also need to comply with the highest standard in precautions, especially in hygiene practices, and the provision of adequate supplies including personal protective equipment This requires robust planning and coordinated actions between governments
and health facilities and their managers.

Some examples of essential services include: routine vaccination; reproductive health services including care during pregnancy and childbirth; care of young infants and older adults; management of mental health conditions as well as noncommunicable diseases
and infectious diseases like HIV, malaria and TB; critical inpatient therapies; management of emergency health conditions; auxiliary services like basic diagnostic imaging, laboratory services, and blood bank services, among others.

Well-organized and prepared health systems can continue to provide equitable access to essential service delivery throughout an emergency, limiting direct mortality and avoiding increased indirect mortality.

The guidelines stress the importance of keeping up-to-date information. This requires frequent transparent communications with the public, and strong community engagements so the public can maintain trust in the system to safely meet their
essential needs and to control infection risk in health facilities. This will help ensure that people continue to seek care when appropriate, and adhere to public health advice.

1. Elston, J. W. T., Cartwright, C., Ndumbi, P., & Wright, J. (2017). The health impact of the 2014–15 Ebola outbreak. Public Health, 143, 60-70.

2. Parpia, A. S., Ndeffo-Mbah, M. L., Wenzel, N. S., & Galvani, A. P. (2016). Effects of response to 2014–2015 Ebola outbreak on deaths from malaria, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis, West Africa. Emerging infectious diseases, 22(3), 433.

For interviews please contact: Tarik Jasarevic

To access the full guidance please visit: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/technical-guidance/maintaining-essential-health-services-and-systems

For further information and guidance on COVID-19 please visit: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

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March 31, 2020
UiTM assures welfare of 8,5000 students during MCO duration

SHAH ALAM: Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) has assured students who could not return home following the Movement Control Order (MCO) ruling, that there is sufficient food, and the meals are offered to them free of charge.

UiTM deputy vice-chancellor (Student Affairs) Prof Dr Azizan Abdullah said 8,500 students still residing at 35 campuses nationwide have been receiving the food assistance of three meals a day since the MCO was enforced on March 18.

“The food assistance is offered to all on-campus and off-campus students.

“In taking care of the students’ welfare, UiTM also provides medical and counseling services. So parents do not have to worry,“ he told Bernama, here today.

Azizan called on the 800,000-strong UiTM alumni to donate to the university’s Covid-19 Student Aid Fund to cover food expenses for students who have been forced to stay on until the MCO ruling ends on April 14.

In addition to financial contribution, alumni members as well as the public, could also assist UiTM by providing food items which would be distributed to the needy students.

Azizan said the items could be delivered directly to the food collection centre at Kolej Mawar or the Students Service Centre in Shah Alam, while for other states, those wishing to donate could contact the respective campuses.

Donations for UiTM Covid-19 Student Aid Fund are to be deposited through UiTM Treasury Affin Bank Account No:1051-4000-3422. – Bernama

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March 30, 2020
Simpang Renggam sample gathering task possibly over within 10 days: MOH

PUTRAJAYA: The Ministry of Health (MOH) expects to gather all samples from the two Covid-19 affected areas in Simpang Renggam, Johor now under the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) within 10 days.

Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah (pix) said MOH was now collecting an average of 300 samples daily, especially from the targetted high-risk group.

“There are 3,000 residents in both the villages, so we expect to complete the task within 10 days.

“The (ministry) team has been going house to house to make sure we detect the targetted high-risk group. We will conduct sample testing on this group even if they do not show symptoms,” he said at the daily media briefing on Covid-19, here today.

Dr Noor Hisham was responding to questions on developments with regard to the sample-gathering exercise in Kampung Dato’ Ibrahim Majid and Bandar Baharu Dato’ Ibrahim in Simpang Renggam that commenced last Friday.

In another development, Dr Noor Hisham said to date, a total of 18,271 Covid-19 screenings had been done on the Sri Petaling mosque tabligh cluster.

“Of these, 14,111 samples were taken, with 1,290 testing positive, 8,083 negative while results of another 4,738 are pending.

The MOH has also advised that any distribution of food items by non-governmental organisations (NGO) must adhere to regulations and standard operating procedures of the National Security Council (MKN) as such matters were not under the MOH’s purview.

“We have to comply as right now, the Movement Control Order (MCO) is in force, so there are risks for the NGOs when they are on the ground, especially when there is close contact.”

“Their actions are well-intended but the MCO must be enforced strictly,” Dr Noor Hisham said when replying to questions on guidelines that should be taken by NGOs when distributing food items to frontliners. – Bernama

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March 30, 2020
Information sharing on COVID-19
WHO’s focus at all times is to ensure that all areas of the globe have the information they need to manage the health of their people. In a recent interview, the WHO official who headed the joint international mission to China, did not answer a question on Taiwan’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

The question of Taiwanese membership in WHO is up to WHO Member States, not WHO staff. However, WHO is working closely with all health authorities who are facing the current coronavirus pandemic, including Taiwanese health experts.

The Taiwanese caseload is low relative to population. We continue to follow developments closely. WHO is taking lessons learned from all areas, including Taiwanese health authorities, to share best practices globally.

With respect to the COVID-19 outbreak, the WHO Secretariat works with Taiwanese health experts and authorities, following established procedures, to facilitate a fast and effective response and ensure connection and information flow.
- There is a Taiwanese International Health Regulations Point of Contact, who receives IHR (2005) communications and has access to the Event Information Site (EIS) Platform (a password-protected database and information exchange mechanism supporting the IHR (2005)).
- The Taiwanese Field Epidemiology Training Program is a member of the Training Programs in Epidemiology and Public Health Interventions Network (also known as “TEPHINET”). WHO shares Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network alerts and requests for assistance with TEPHINET, and those messages are cascaded to the TEPHINET members.
- Two Taiwanese public health experts participated in the Global Research and Innovation Forum organized by WHO on 11-12 February 2020, thus contributing, alongside other world scientists, including from mainland China, to critical research questions and to finding ways to work together to advance the response.
  WHO staff work around the world to respond to this pandemic with the best evidence-based guidance and operational support available for all people, based on public health needs. Membership in WHO and status issues are decided by Member States and the rules they set at WHO’s governing body, the World Health Assembly.
  
  Information about COVID-19 can be found here: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
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March 30, 2020
UPDATE: Buhari Orders 14-day Lockdown In Lagos, Ogun and FCT Over Coronavirus Outbreak

President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday during a nationwide broadcast ordered the restriction of movement in Lagos, Ogun and Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, following the outbreak and continued spread of Coronavirus in the country.

The restriction is expected to last for two weeks in the first instance to enable the Federal Ministry of Health, Nigerian Centre for Disease Control and other stakeholders rally all available resources to control the spread of the disease.

Buhari urged citizens in these areas to stay in their homes in order to reduce the risk of contracting the virus.

He equally advised that inter-state travels should be postponed.

According to the President, the containment period will be used to identify, trace and isolate all individuals that had come in contact with confirmed cases, including ensuring the treatment of confirmed cases while restricting further spread to other states.

He said, “Based on the advice of the Federal Ministry of Health and NCDC, I am directing the cessation of all movements in Lagos and FCT for an initial period of 14 days with effect from 11pm on Monday, March 30, 2020.
“This restriction will also apply to Ogun State due to its close proximity to Lagos and the high traffic between the two states.”

Nigeria currently has 97 confirmed cases of Coronavirus and one recorded death.

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March 30, 2020
BSH recipients need not make new application for BPN

PUTRAJAYA: Households and single individuals who have been listed as the Cost of Living Aid (BSH) recipients do not need to make a new application for the Bantuan Prihatin Nasional (BPN) cash handouts.

The Ministry of Finance (MOF) in a statement today said the BPN payments would be made directly to them through their bank accounts registered under BSH.

“Households earning RM4,000 or less will get BPN of RM1,600 while singles earning RM2,000 or less will receive BPN of RM800.

For households earning between RM4,001 and RM8,000 and singles earning between RM2,001 and RM4,000 who are registered taxpayers under the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN), MOF said they also do not need to make a new application for BPN.

BPN payments of RM1,000 for households and RM500 for eligible individuals under the category will be made directly to them through their bank accounts registered with LHDN, it added.

For those who have not yet registered, new applications can be made starting April 1 via LHDN’s website at www.hasil.gov.my, it said.

“The ministry wishes to remind the public to be wary of scammers who have become emboldened by the opportunity to commit fraud against those who need such assistance.

“Recipients are advised to refer to official sources and not to disclose any personal information to any third party,” it said.

For more information, the public can contact the MOF at 03-8882 9089/ 03-8882 9087/ 03-8882 9191/ 03-8882 4565/ 03-8882 4566 from 9am to 5pm (Sunday to Friday), through email at bsh@treasury.gov.my/ pre2020@treasury.gov.my or Telegram application PRE Prihatin or the MOF official Facebook page.

Enquiries can also be forwarded to LHDN via calls from 9am to 5pm (Sunday to Friday) at 1-800 882 747 or 03-8911 1000. – Bernama

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March 29, 2020
7-Eleven staff member tested positive for Covid-19

PETALING JAYA: A staff of 7-Eleven Malaysia has tested positive for Covid-19 and is receiving medical attention at a government hospital.

7-Eleven Malaysia said the staff member was based at the 7-Eleven store in Jalan Bunus, Kuala Lumpur.

“Thorough sanitisation and deep cleansing of the store is being carried out and will remain closed until further notice,“ it said in a statement.

“All those in direct contact with the affected staff member have been placed under home quarantine until the appropriate medical clearance is given by the authorities.”

7-Eleven also said that it is carrying out detailed contact tracing along with the Ministry of Health (MOH) to identify and inform those who had close contact with the affected staff, as well as investigate where the staff member might have contracted it from.

“We would like to assure that preventive measures across our operations to curb the spread of Covid-19 has already been implemented, including regular sanitization of our stores, enhanced personal hygiene protocols for our staff members and social distancing measures in-store for customers, among others as the safety and well-being of our customers and staff members are of the utmost importance to us,” it added.

It is monitoring the situation closely and further updates will be provided, For any further queries, contact: marketing@7eleven.com.my, it added.

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March 29, 2020
EXCLUSIVE: Two Nurses, One Doctor Infected With Coronavirus In Abuja Hospital

Two nurses and a doctor have been confirmed to have tested positive for Coronavirus at a hospital in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

The health workers, who are staff of a government hospital in Abuja, were part of medical personnel that attended to an infected person brought into the hospital.

A senior medical worker at the hospital told SaharaReporters that, “The patient was rushed to the hospital and as our job demands, we have to save life first and that was what we did.

“The person was attended to and stabilised by the medical team.

“A test was soon conducted and the result came out positive.

“The hospital thereafter asked all those who attended to the patient to undergo tests to determine their status and at the end of the day, the three tested positive for the virus.

“They are currently in isolation at the Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital.”

Speaking further, the senior health worker lamented the lack of quality Personal Protective Equipment for them, adding that government must invest in the protection of health workers at the frontline of the battle against the virus.

He said, “The unfortunate thing is that the government is not providing us with what to work with. It is sad that our PPE are not up to the world standard and can be penetrated by viruses.

“Some of us (health workers) have to use our personal funds to purchase gloves as we do not trust the ones government supplied.

“Nigerians should please remember us in their prayers and government should provide us with what we really need to work.”

Nigeria currently has 81 confirmed cases of Coronavirus and one recorded death.

According to the diplomatic community, infections could rise to more than 10,000 in the coming weeks as there are at least 5,000 persons, who had come in contact with infected persons in Nigeria already.

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March 29, 2020
Nigerian Music Star, Davido, In Self-isolation After Fiancée, Chioma, Tests Positive For Coronavirus

Nigerian musician, David Adeleke popularly known as Davido, has announced that his fiancé, Chioma, has tested positive for Coronavirus.

Making the announcement on Twitter, Davido said Chioma recently returned from the United Kingdom with their baby.

While the baby tested negative, her own result returned positive.

He said, “Hey everyone, I came back recently from America after cancelling a tour. My fiancé, Chioma, also came back from London recently with our baby.

“We had no symptoms and still both feel perfectly fine but because of our recent travel history, we decided to take ourselves and all close associates we’ve come in recent contact with for the COVID-19 test on the 25th of March.

“Unfortunately, my fiancé’s results came back positive while all 31 others tested have come back negative including our baby.

close associates weâve come in recent contact with for the COVID-19 test on the 25th of March. Unfortunately, my fiancÃ©âs results came back positive while all 31 others tested have come back negative including our baby. We are however doing perfectly fine and she is even still…

— Davido (@davido) March 27, 2020

“We are however, doing perfectly fine and she is even still yet to show any symptoms whatsoever.

“She is now being quarantined and I have also gone into full self-isolation for the minimum 14 days.

“I want to use this opportunity to thank you all for your endless love and prayers in advance and to urge everyone to please stay at home as we control the spread of this virus! Together we can beat this.”

The Nigerian Center for Disease Control on Friday night announced that Coronavirus cases in the country had hit 70 with one recorded death.

Celebrity

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March 28, 2020
Lagos Government Says Coronavirus Cases May Rise To 39,000 In State

The Lagos State government on Friday said that cases of Coronavirus in the city may rise to 39,000 in the coming weeks.

Commissioner for Health in the state, Prof Akin Abayomi, made the comment on Friday during a briefing with journalists.

He said, “Our mathematical modelling shows that the worst-case scenario is that we may see up to 39,000 cases in Lagos.

“If we add social distancing to active contact tracing, then we will be able to bend the curve further.

“The figures may seem alarming at this point, but this is just to emphasise to the Lagos community to follow instructions of the incident commander to make sure that we practise social distancing.

“Looking at the same timeframe from the introduction of the index case, you can see that Lagos State is not seen anywhere near what Spain, Italy and Iran are showing.

“So, at weeks two and three of our index case, we are flat and at week four, we have 37 cases; while at the same fourth week, Italy, Iran and Spain had more than 20,000 cases.

“So, we are doing something right in the state. Then if we continue to do that, we will remain on the lower trajectory.

“It shows we are keeping the curve flat which is allowing us to keep up with the number of cases we have so far.”

Nigeria so far has 65 confirmed Coronavirus cases with Lagos having 44 confirmed infections.

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March 28, 2020