COVID-19, special report by JP Bizoza

 

 

On the 31st December 2019, Chinese officials in Wuhan reported a virus, which causes a respiratory illness (like the flu). The virus was identified as COVID-19 also known under the acronym of 2019-nCov or 2019 Novel Coronavirus. COVID-19 causes breathing infection just as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (EMC/2012) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS coronavirus, SARS-CoV). The World Health Organisation reports that COVID-19 is primarily spread through respiratory droplets. Its symptoms include fever, shortness of breath, tiredness and dry cough.  Likewise, early data suggests that COVID-19 causes more harm to older and disabled people than any cohort population. Since the outbreak, Europe particularly Italy and Spain have been an epicenter of the pandemic with more reported cases and deaths than the rest of the world combined, apart from China. 

 

However, questions have been raised as how developing countries around the world especially in Africa will cope with the pandemic -given that the primary cause of death in some nations remains communicable – infectious – diseases, which can be prevented.  In the light of this concern, WHO has been working with developing countries to increase the capacity of national laboratories to detect COVID-19 by supplying reagents, essential personal protective equipment, testing equipment and training for staff. 

 

The World Health Organisation has also initiated a robust plan action, which consists of 8 pillars known as Preparedness and Emergency Response Plans. The pillars are indicated in various phases, and they include education about COVID-19, early detection, trace contact, quarantine/ isolation and appropriate care for affected for the virus. Furthermore, WHO recommends individuals to adhere to hygienic measures including (a) clean hands regularly with an alcohol-based rub or soap and water, (b) cover one’s mouth and nose with elbow when coughing or sneezing, (c) stay home when one is unwell (d) avoid unnecessary travel/ large social gatherings and finally (e) comply with advice from local or national health authority. It’s noted that countries have taken various approach in terms of levels, emergency response a and the fight against the virus .

 

Like other Asian countries like Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong, on 30 January 2020, the New Zealand Director-General declared that first COVID-19 cases were initiating a Public Health Emergency. On 11 March 2020 the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. In response to the pandemic, the Director-General of Health based in Wellington, Dr Ashley Bloomfield noted its National Health Emergency Plan (NHEP) .The initial plan namely level 1"keep it out was since initiated. While the strategy was commended, on 14 March 2020, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced additional travel restrictions to overseas arrivals for  self-isolation 14 days , she placed a ban on cruise ships entering New Zealand waters and eventually on 23/03/2020, it raised at label, maximum grade on Maximum emergency on COVID-19. The level four alert system specifies public health and social measures to be taken against COVID-19. i.e locking down everything excepts essential services, pending a review.

 

The World Health Organization, which leads global health responses within the United Nations, reports that COVID-19 is an alarming pandemic as the number of confirmed cases worldwide are more 10 times higher than people who were infected by MERS and SARS. Not only Covid-19 is transmitted more rapidly between humans than SARS, it has high mortality, with 3.5% of all cases reported (WHO reports). i.e. COVID-19 mortality figure is higher than previous estimates and far above the seasonal flu's fatality rate, which stands at less than 1 percent.

 

Since the pandemic announcement, COVID-19 has captured the world’s media attention. As a part strategic response, the World Health Organization along with United Nations Foundation and the Swiss Philanthropy Foundation, launched the COVID-19 Solidarity Response, with the intention to raise funds that will be used to coordinate the emergency response and cover cost related to sources particularly masks, gloves, gowns and goggles for health workers and diagnostic tests. In addition, the World Health Organization aims to improve surveillance and invest in research. Furthermore, it has tirelessly mobilized members states to ensure their preparedness phase and emergency response based on local context and risk assessment of each nation.

 

While some efforts have been initiated, WHO Director-General recognizes no country can thrive or solve all its challenges in isolation. This was echoed by the Chinese president who stated that “mankind is a community with a shared future and that only through unity and coordination can humanity tackle various global risks and challenges.” Therefore, COVI-19 can no longer be resolved by any individual country.  This reinforced the United Nations core mission that urges governments not only to collaborate, but to also share tips and resources to contain the disease. So far, WHO has already initiated a number of projects that could help to overcome the pandemic. 

 

 

• Appeal of US$675 million to help protect states with weaker health systems as part of its Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan.

 

• US$15 millions release from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to help vulnerable countries battle the spread of the coronavirus. This was announced by Emergency Relief Coordinator and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Mark Lowcock. 

 

• World Bank committed $12bn (£9.4bn) in aid for developing countries grappling with the spread of the coronavirus. The emergency package included low-cost loans, grants and technical assistance.  

 

• IMF made available $50 billion of this, $10 billion was approved at zero interest for the poorest members through the Rapid Credit Facility through its rapid-disbursing emergency financing facilities for low income and emerging market countries that could potentially seek support.

 

• China government that suffered the pandemic offered team of Experts and essential coronavirus supplies to Italy and Spain. The donation will be facilitated by the Red Cross Society of China and will directly make difference for the COVID-19 victims in various parts in Italy.

 

Since COVID-19 Pandemic cases in China, in December 2019, there have been a number of reports related to racism and Xenophobia against Chinese people, South/East Asian descent and appearance around the world. As the result of this, WHO reinforced its message of solidarity and advised all countries to consider to “strike a fine balance between protecting health, minimizing economic and social disruption, and respecting human rights”. Likewise, Dr Tedros, WHO Director-General also has noted “the greatest enemy right now is not the virus itself. It’s fear, rumors and stigma. He reiterates that the greatest assets are still facts, reason and solidarity”. 

Similarly, World Health Organization's Emergency Committee issued a statement on 30 January 2020, advising all countries to be mindful of the "principles of Article 3 of the IHR (the International Health Regulations)," which gives a caution against "actions that promote stigma or discrimination," when conducting national response measures to the outbreak.

 

• The Ministry of Health adheres to case definition for COVID-19 based on epidemiology of the virus as well as its clinical presentation under the WHO guidelines.  

• Like the neighbor Australia, New Zealand has closely monitored COVID-19 around the clock, and it recognizes the negative impact that pandemic has caused on world economy. Therefore, the Ministry of Health advice is under active review and is updated regularly.

• New Zealand has raided its full emergency response level as a means to fight aggressively the COVID19.

 

One of the United Nations missions is to improve the lives of poor people, humanitarian /emergency response on disease and promote cooperation among nations. That has to be a starting point for the fight against novel coronavirus 19 pandemic. It is also crucial to reflect on the World Health Organization Director-General’s call “no country can thrive or solve all its challenges in isolation”. In the light on that, we must agree that mankind is a community with a shared future and that only through unity and coordination can humanity tackle various global risks and challenges.

 

As accentuated above, nations must work together as COVID-19 can no longer be resolved by any individual country. E.g. Singapore, Taiwan or Hong Kong and all nations who managed to revert the tide learnt and shared strategic plans. Again, this reinforces the United Nations fundamental mission “collaboration”. New Zealand fully adheres to the World Health Organization recommendations that require all Nations to act quickly, educate general public about COVID-19 /social distancing, trace contact and quarantine infected cases and appropriate care for patients in critical conditions (Both evidence and research-based solutions on COVID 19).

 

Furthermore, New Zealand aims to aggressively start an extensive testing. The country is well aware that  it’ll be hard to fight a disease if one does not know where it is located. Remember 80 per cent of those infected may have only mild or moderate symptoms.  New Zealand has decided to got alone first and hard on COVID-19. How/ what  does your government plan to fight the virus ?