2021-11-07-世界卫生组织-Weekly_operational_update_on_COVID-19_-_8_November_2021_17页_1mb

Weekly Operational Update on COVID-19 (8 November 2021)

Core Content Summary

This document provides a comprehensive overview of the global and regional efforts to combat the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on the WHO/Europe's support to Romania, the Ministry of Health in Belize receiving medical equipment, the Government of Canada's collaboration with WHO in Sri Lanka, and the role of civil society organizations in pandemic preparedness. It also highlights key public health responses, logistics support, and the challenges of vaccine distribution and infodemic management.

Main Points

Romania: Critical Phase of Response

• Romania is experiencing its most challenging period since the pandemic began, with a surge in cases and strain on the health system.
• WHO/Europe has increased direct operational support, including deploying senior staff, providing critical supplies, and enhancing technical assistance.
• Key areas of support include surveillance, clinical guidance, risk communication, and vaccine roll-out.
• WHO has donated 34,000 rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) and 200 oxygen concentrators, with additional protective equipment on the way.
• Priority actions include improving vaccine uptake among at-risk groups, particularly in rural and elderly populations, and strengthening the health system's response capacity.

Belize: Support from India-UN Development Partnership Fund

• The Ministry of Health and Wellness in Belize received 20 patient monitors as part of the India-UN Development Partnership Fund's support.
• The fund aims to strengthen clinical management and reduce the risk of transmission among health workers.
• The project focuses on three main objectives: strengthening health system capacity, improving access to local healthcare, and increasing awareness among vulnerable populations.
• A multilingual risk communication strategy has been developed to better reach the diverse linguistic communities in Belize.

Sri Lanka: Canadian Grant and WHO Support

• The Government of Canada has provided a USD 1.3 million grant to WHO Sri Lanka to support the primary health care system and vaccination efforts.
• This grant complements previous support from other partners and aims to build a resilient health system.
• The funding includes urgent medical supplies and equipment for 55 hospitals, aiding in the vaccination drive and supporting health workers' psychosocial well-being.

Lao PDR: Isolation Facilities for Returning Migrant Workers

• Over 4,815 migrant workers returning to Lao PDR tested positive for COVID-19, leading to the establishment of three isolation facilities.
• WHO and the EU supported the setup with medical equipment, infrastructure improvements, and financial aid.
• Isolation facilities are managed by frontline staff with three shifts, and recovered patients receive a certificate to reduce stigma.

Global Pandemic Response and Coordination

• The WHO-led UN Crisis Management Team (CMT) met on 28 October 2021 to discuss global and regional trends.
• There was a 4% increase in global cases, with the European region seeing a sharp rise due to the relaxation of public health measures.
• WHO emphasized the need for equitable vaccine distribution, with COVAX accounting for 80% of doses in low-income countries.
• A vaccine booster moratorium was called for until December 2021.
• A joint briefing on the "One-Health" Agenda by FAO, OIE, UNEP, and WHO will be presented in the next CMT meeting on 25 November.

Risk Communication and Faith Partnerships

• Faith leaders and organizations have played a vital role in promoting health messages and supporting vaccination efforts.
• In Kenya and Zimbabwe, WHO, national governments, and faith-based organizations have collaborated to address misinformation, improve communication, and promote protective measures.
• The WHO strategy for engaging religious leaders outlines a commitment to continued collaboration for better public health outcomes.

Civil Society Engagement in the Philippines

• The HAAN COVID project, implemented by Families Choice for Health and Development with WHO support, empowers vulnerable communities through community-based surveillance.
• The project uses "Home Health Trackers" to monitor daily health status and activities, improving contact tracing and data collection.
• It is especially effective in low-resource settings with poor internet access, helping to identify close contacts and prevent transmission.

Operations Support and Logistics

• WHO and PAHO have been actively managing the supply chain for PPE, diagnostics, and clinical care products.
• As of 4 November 2021, the following items have been shipped globally:
  • PCR tests: 21,182,330
  • Medical masks: 213,395,426
  • Gloves: 99,332,700
  • Face shields: 9,598,151
  • Laboratory supplies: 24,493,027 sample collection kits, 27,935,048 antigen RDTs, and 21,182,330 PCR tests.
• WHO has also conducted 195 GOARN deployments to support pandemic response efforts.

Funding and Appeals

• WHO's Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan (SPRP) 2021 has a total appeal of USD 1.96 billion.
• As of 2 November 2021, USD 1.17 billion has been received, leaving a 40.2% shortfall.
• Only 5% of the received funds are flexible, compared to 30% in 2020, which is a concern for rapid response capabilities.
• WHO encourages donors to provide flexible funding to support urgent priorities such as vaccination, surveillance, and acute response.

Key Figures

• Confirmed cases: 249,425,563 (as of 7 November 2021)
• Confirmed deaths: 5,042,690 (as of 7 November 2021)
• Global vaccine doses administered: 7,084,921,786 (as of 8 November 2021)
• aCOVAX vaccine shipments: Over 435 million to 144 participants (as of 2 November 2021)
• OpenWHO users: Over 5.9 million people across 39 topics in 57 languages
• GOARN deployments: 195 conducted as of 4 November 2021

Conclusion

The document underscores the ongoing challenges of the pandemic, particularly in terms of vaccine distribution, health system capacity, and misinformation. It highlights the critical role of WHO and its partners in supporting countries across the globe, with a focus on improving public health responses, strengthening health systems, and ensuring equitable access to vaccines and medical supplies.