With India, Indonesia and Thailand confirming new cases of COVID-19, World Health Organization today asked countries in its South-East Asia Region to strengthen preparedness for all possible scenarios and ensure early containment measures.<\/p>\n

\u201cTop priority of countries should be to be ready to roll out speedy response to the first case, first cluster, and first evidences of community transmission. Early containment measures can help countries stop transmission,\u201d said Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh<\/strong>, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia Region.<\/p>\n

Five of the 11 countries in the Region have confirmed COVID-19 cases \u2013 Thailand 43, India 28, Indonesia 2 and Sri Lanka and Nepal one each.<\/p>\n

[UPDATE: Nepal Takes Drastic Measures to ‘Stop’ Coronavirus Spread<\/a>]<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThe risk of the new coronavirus is very high across the world and in WHO South-East Asia Region. More cases can be expected. Rapidly identifying these cases, isolating them and following their contacts are important initiatives to help limit person to person transmission. The speed of our response is critical, which is only possible if we are prepared,\u201d the Regional Director said.<\/p>\n

Dr Khetrapal Singh said there are three priorities for country readiness \u2013 protecting health workers, engaging with communities and empowering them with timely and accurate information to enable them take protective measures, specially those at highest risk; and doing our best to contain epidemics in the most vulnerable countries.<\/p>\n

The virus can cause mild, flu-like symptoms as well as more severe disease. Patients have a range of symptoms such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath.<\/p>\n

Based on current data, globally 81% of cases seem to have mild disease, about 14% appear to progress to severe disease, and some 5% are critical.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

People can protect themselves and prevent spread of the virus by practicing hand hygiene, covering their cough and sneeze, maintaining distance from others if they are sick and from those who are sick, she said.<\/p>\n

Infection prevention and control is of critical importance in health facilities for COVID-19.<\/p>\n

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#COVID19<\/a> is an infectious disease caused by a new #coronavirus<\/a> introduced to humans for the first time. It spreads from person to person mainly through the droplets produced when an infected person speaks, coughs or sneezes. pic.twitter.com\/1erCABYbIQ<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) February 29, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n