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Repository

The topics for discussion on this portal have already been analyzed by multiple actors. In this repository, the GS / OAS brings together some of them, as one more contribution to the discussion. This repository has two sections: In the Policy section, we will integrate information on policies relevant to the issues under discussion that are being implemented by Member States, Observer States and other States of the world. In Studies we will include analyzes, reports and reports published by academic institutions, think tanks, international and multilateral organizations, non-governmental organizations and private entities, all of them of recognized prestige, which are relevant to the conversation. The OAS will publish these articles and reports in their original language.

Two metres or one: what is the evidence for physical distancing in COVID-19?/BMJ

  • 29 September 2020

Physical distancing is an important part of measures to control covid-19, but exactly how far away and for how long contact is safe in different contexts is unclear. Rules that stipulate a single specific physical distance (1 or 2 metres) between individuals to reduce transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing covid-19, are based on an outdated, dichotomous notion of respiratory droplet size. This overlooks the physics of respiratory emissions, where droplets of all sizes are trapped and moved by the exhaled moist and hot turbulent gas cloud that keeps them concentrated as it carries them over metres in a few seconds.12 After the cloud slows sufficiently, ventilation, specific patterns of airflow, and type of activity become important. Viral load of the emitter, duration of exposure, and susceptibility of an individual to infection are also important.

WHO - Boost for Global Response to COVID-19 as Economies Worldwide Formally Sign up to COVAX Facility

  • 21 September 2020

64 higher income economies have joined the COVAX Facility, a global initiative that brings together governments and manufacturers to ensure eventual COVID-19 vaccines reach those in greatest need, whoever they are and wherever they live. These 64 economies include commitments from 35 economies as well as the European Commission which will procure doses on behalf of 27 EU member states plus Norway and Iceland.

Conseguir 2000 millones de vacunas contra el COVID-19 para fines de 2021, el objetivo de la OMS

  • 21 September 2020

El proyecto multisectorial para garantizar la compra y distribución equitativa de las vacunas contra el COVID-19 cuando éstas existan cuenta ya con 156 países, informa la agencia sanitaria mundial. También adelanta que cada persona necesitaría dos dosis de la inmunización.

Keep health workers safe to keep patients safe: WHO

  • 17 September 2020

“The COVID-19 pandemic has reminded all of us of the vital role health workers play to relieve suffering and save lives,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “No country, hospital or clinic can keep its patients safe unless it keeps its health workers safe. WHO’s Health Worker Safety Charter is a step towards ensuring that health workers have the safe working conditions, the training, the pay and the respect they deserve.”

UNICEF - La reapertura de las escuelas debe ser prioritaria una vez levantadas las restricciones debidas al COVID-19

  • 15 September 2020

El 25% de los países aún no tiene fecha para el regreso a la escuela con los efectos negativos que los cierres prolongados causados por la pandemia implican para la educación. Las agencias dedicadas a la salud, los niños y la educación urgen a los gobiernos a dar prioridad a la reapertura escolar invirtiendo en medidas de seguridad y protección sanitaria.

ITALY - Vice Minister Del Re Promotes a Coordinated global response to the pandemic

  • 10 September 2020

Intervened during the first meeting of the newly established "Facilitation Council" of the Accelerator ACT - Access to COVID-19 Tools, noting “(..) we will contribute additional funds that will bring Italy's overall contribution to equitable access to vaccines for all, to over 100 million dollars”, while also underlining the importance of effective multilateralism to “to achieve the goal of equitable access to life-saving tools for all and everywhere”. The Vice Minister also underscored Italy's full commitment also during the next G20 Presidency, "where we will keep the response to the pandemic, global health and support to the ACT Accelerator as priorities".

WHO - COVID-19 Could Reverse Decades of Progress Toward Eliminating Preventable Child Deaths, Agencies Warn

  • 9 September 2020

The number of global under-five deaths dropped to its lowest point on record in 2019 – down to 5.2 million from 12.5 million in 1990, according to new mortality estimates released by UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), the Population Division of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs and the World Bank Group.

Since then, however, surveys by UNICEF and WHO reveal that the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in major disruptions to health services that threaten to undo decades of hard-won progress.

UKRAINE: Government Singles Out Certain Categories of Foreign Citizens Who Will be Able to Enter Ukraine During the Restricted Period

  • 27 August 2020

Ukraine imposes temporary restrictions on the entry of foreigners and stateless persons to Ukraine. The restrictions will apply onward from 00:00, August 28 until 00:00, September 28, 2020. At the same time, exceptions have been made for the broadest possible list of traveler categories, in order to mitigate the impact on people-to-people and business contacts.

IMF - Uruguay’s Secret to Success in Combating COVID-19

  • 4 August 2020

The speed at which measures were adopted and the scientific guidance were two main characteristics of Uruguay’s COVID-19 response. It started testing early and in large scale, developing its own diagnostic tests and contagion tracking technologies. Combined with community tracing in outbreak areas, this facilitated timely detection of the virus spread.

OPS - OMS envía a Bolivia 46 toneladas de ayuda humanitaria compuesta de Equipos de Protección Personal para los profesionales de la salud que atienden COVID-19

  • 3 August 2020

Gracias a gestiones realizadas por el Gobierno del Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia, la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) hizo llegar al país en las últimas horas 46 toneladas de ayuda humanitaria compuesta de insumos para Equipos de Protección Personal, valorados en 1,8 millón de dólares, destinada a los profesionales de la salud que en este momento están en primera línea de atención de casos de COVID-19 en el país.

IDB supports health care system of Nicaragua as it responds to the COVID-19 pandemic

  • 1 August 2020

With the goal of boosting the response capacity of the Nicaraguan health care system, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) reiterates its support to the country providing USD$43 million from its Immediate Response of Public Health to Contain and Control Coronavirus and Mitigate its Effect on the Provision of the Service in Nicaragua. The actions of the program will contribute to reduce the rates of morbidity and mortality from the coronavirus and ease the indirect health care effects of the pandemic, with special emphasis on the most vulnerable populations. The project will focus on three areas: boosting detection and monitoring of COVID-19 cases, strengthening efforts to break the chain of transmission of the disease, and enhancing the country's ability to provide services.

ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES - New Process to Detect COVID-19 Cases Implemented

  • 27 July 2020

The public is advised that all protocols will be revised as necessary, based on the changing nature of the COVID-19 disease and compliance of the public and travellers to St. Vincent and The Grenadines. The importance of strict compliance to all quarantine and isolation orders is paramount. It is only by complying with these orders and the use of masks in public spaces that the spread of COVID-19 can be controlled in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

UNHCR Expands Support to Refugees and Host Communities in Brazil as COVID-19 Takes its Toll

  • 24 July 2020

Brazil is host to more than 345,000 refugees and asylum seekers, for whom the consequences of the pandemic are especially harsh.

In an effort to limit the spread and impact of the virus, UNHCR is enhancing community awareness efforts, including through information campaigns and preventive information sessions in the different indigenous languages. Hygiene promotion has also been scaled up in temporary shelters: hand-washing stations have been installed and soap distribution continue to take place since the beginning of March.

UNHCR is also addressing rising humanitarian and health needs among refugees living on the streets, and in overcrowded shelters and unsanitary conditions in the northern regions of Brazil, including in Amazonas, Roraima and Para states.

COSTA RICA - Apertura de vuelos comerciales al país inicia el 01 de agosto con trayectos limitados desde Europa

  • 23 July 2020

El país logró recibir el sello Safe Travels o Destino Seguro del Consejo Mundial de Viajes y Turismo (WTTC, por sus siglas en inglés), gracias a la implementación de los 16 protocolos sanitarios para las actividades turísticas.

“Para conseguir el sello debimos enviar los protocolos a revisión a la WTTC, los aprobaron y ahora viene una tercera etapa con el proceso para sub-licenciar a las empresas turísticas costarricenses y promover el uso del sello. El éxito del sello requiere que todos pequeña, mediana y gran empresa, así como los colaboradores y turistas, cumplamos las medidas de sanidad contra la pandemia”, señaló Gustavo Segura, Ministro Rector de Turismo.

Costa Rica se une Aruba, Portugal, Dubai, Turquía, Egipto, Ucrania y las ciudades españolas de Sevilla y Benidorm, como sitios con sello Safe Travels.

OMS - Las decisiones individuales sobre el COVID-19, una cuestión de vida o muerte para todos

  • 23 July 2020

Parte de adaptarse a la "nueva normalidad" es encontrar formas de vivir nuestras vidas de manera segura”, explicó Tedros Adhanon Gebreyesus.

“Se trata de tomar buenas decisiones. Estamos pidiendo a todos que tomen las decisiones sobre dónde ir, qué hacer y a quién ver como si fueran decisiones de vida o muerte; porque lo son. Puede no ser tu vida, pero tu elección puede marcar la diferencia entre la vida y la muerte de alguien a quien amas o de un extraño”, dijo.

WHO - COVID-19: No Return to ‘Old Normal’, Says UN Health Chief, as Cases Top 15 Million

  • 23 July 2020

“We must remember that most people are still susceptible to this virus. As long as it’s circulating, everyone is at risk”, said Tedros (Adhanom Ghebreyesus), adding, “just because cases might be at a low level where you live, that doesn’t make it safe to let down your guard.”

“In recent years we’ve seen young people leading grassroots movements for climate change and racial equality. Now we need young people to start a global movement for health – for a world in which health is a human right, not a privilege”, he suggested.

WEF - COVID-19: What You Need to Know About the Coronavirus Pandemic on 22 September

  • 21 July 2020

This daily round-up brings you a selection of the latest news updates on the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, as well as tips and tools to help you stay informed and protected. Top stories: South Korea flu vaccine troubles; grim milestones for Mexico and the US; restrictions are relaxed in Bogota; Disneyland Hong Kong reopens.

PAHO Director Says Timing and Local Planning are Critical to Relax Restrictions for COVID-19

  • 30 June 2020

“Timing is critical. At national or at local level, we must open gradually, taking a phased approach that relies on robust surveillance, data, and expanded testing and contact tracing capacity.  If the situation changes and infections rise, localities and countries must adjust course quickly" Carissa Etienne said.

Trinidad and Tobago is one of Fifteen Countries to Benefit from the Government of Canada's USD$5.3 Million Contribution to PAHO’s COVID-19 Response in the Caribbean

  • 26 June 2020

The contribution of USD$5.3 million will benefit a total of fifteen Caribbean countries including Trinidad and Tobago. Overall, the collaboration will support increased access to Personal Protective Equipment and other critical supplies to assist countries in their efforts to save lives and limit the human-to-human transmission of the COVID-19 Pandemic, focusing on populations experiencing marginalization or vulnerability, including health care workers.

PAHO - PAHO USAID Donation Fueling COVID-19 Fight

  • 25 June 2020

The Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) Office for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Countries (ECC) and USAID recently assisted the government of Antigua and Barbuda in their fight against COVID-19.

Additionally, as we enter the Hurricane season, the vehicle will also be able to support and respond to other health emergencies and support disease surveillance activities of any new or existing health challenges.

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