Coronavirus [COVID-19] – WHO
Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

Weekly Epidemiological and Operational updates
Last update: 23 January 2021
Confirmed cases :: 125 781 957 [week ago: 121 969 223] [two weeks ago: 118 754 336]
Confirmed deaths :: 2 759 432 [week ago: 2 694 094] [two weeks ago: 2 634 370]
Countries, areas or territories with cases :: 223

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Weekly operational update on COVID-19 – 22 March 2021
Overview
In this edition of the Weekly Operational Update on COVID-19, highlights of country-level actions and WHO support to Member States include:
:: Calls for maintaining essential health services amid disruptions from COVID-19 pandemic
:: The role of traditional leaders for community-based interventions against COVID-19
:: The 1-year anniversary of Partners Platform and the COVID-19 Publication Review Committee
:: Support in minimizing risks from mass gatherings, preparing and supporting a COVID-19 vaccine campaign and support to virology laboratories
:: The Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan (SPRP) 2021 Operational Planning Guidelines, resource requirements and progress made to continue investing in the COVID-19 response and for building the architecture to prepare for, prevent and mitigate future health emergencies is included.
:: Updates on WHO/PAHO procured items, participation in the Unity Studies, and select indicators from the COVID-19 Monitoring and Evaluation Framework

Weekly epidemiological update on COVID-19 – 23 March 2021
Overview
Globally, COVID-19 confirmed cases continued to rise for a fourth consecutive week, with just under 3.3 million new cases reported in the last week . Concurrently, the number of new deaths reported plateaued after a six week decrease, with just over 60 000 new deaths reported. A marked increase in the number of new cases was reported from the South East Asia, Western Pacific, European and Eastern Mediterranean regions, all of which are on an upward trajectory in recent weeks. The European Region and the Region of the Americas continue to account for nearly 80% of all the cases and deaths.

In this edition, special focus updates are provided on:
:: Release of the WHO COVID-19 Detailed Surveillance Dashboard
:: SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern

COVAX updates participants on delivery delays for vaccines from Serum Institute of India (SII) and AstraZeneca
Statement 03/25/2021
:: The COVAX Facility has notified participating economies that deliveries of doses from the Serum Institute of India (SII) will be delayed in March and April
:: Delays in securing supplies of SII-produced COVID-19 vaccine doses are due to the increased demand for COVID-19 vaccines in India
:: Separately, participating economies in the COVAX Facility that have been allocated doses from the AstraZeneca manufacturing network have been notified that some first deliveries anticipated in March will now take place in April.

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Gavi Board approves COVAX Buffer for high-risk groups in humanitarian settings
:: 5% of the total number of available doses procured through the COVAX Facility will be allocated to the COVAX Buffer
:: The COVAX Buffer will ensure access to vaccines for populations in humanitarian settings
:: José Manuel Barroso: “While the first resort in covering all high-risk groups, irrespective of their legal status, is including them in national vaccination plans, the COVAX Buffer will serve as a safety net to ensure these populations do not get left behind”
23 March 2021

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New Red Cross and Red Crescent plan to counter “deep and pervasive” inequities in pandemic response
Geneva, 24 March 2021 (ICRC/IFRC) – The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement has today launched a new plan that aims to tackle “deep and pervasive” inequities in the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic…

The new Red Cross and Red Crescent analysis released today shows that, although present in all countries, these inequities have been particularly pronounced and damaging for people living in countries affected by humanitarian crises.

According to this analysis:
:: Countries that are not dealing with humanitarian crises have reported carrying out nearly 48 times more COVID-19 tests per capita than countries facing “severe” or “very severe” humanitarian crises.

:: People living in countries facing either no humanitarian crisis or crises that are considered “low” in severity are more than three times as likely to be supported with contact tracing for COVID-19.

:: Less than 2 per cent of COVID-19 vaccine doses globally have reportedly been administered in the 32 countries currently facing “severe” or “very severe” humanitarian crises.