Coronavirus - Emergency Response - PAHO 2020

In late December 2019 a cluster of pneumonia cases of unknown cause was reported by health authorities in Wuhan Hubei Province China. On January 30 2020 the COVID-19 outbreak was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) and on 11 March 2020 a pandemic. The PAHO and its partners are working with national governments in the Americas and global experts to identify populations most at risk the transmission of the disease and the most effective ways to detect interrupt and contain human to human transmission. With GAC’s support PAHO is helping vulnerable countries control and respond to COVID-19 cases in the Americas. Project activities include: (1) supporting national authorities in reorganizing their health services to limit human-human transmission within health facilities; (2) ensuring availability of laboratory supplies reagents and tests; and (3) providing technical expertise to Member States.

The expected outcomes of this project include: (1) reduced human-to-human transmission in health facilities; (2) strengthened surveillance systems to early detect COVID-19 cases; (3) enhanced laboratory capacity to detect COVID-19 cases; (4) improved local health system capacity; and (5) improved risk communication and information to populations and travelers. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crises with health emergencies or acute food insecurity.