Geneva: The World Health Organisation Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is in self-quarantine and held his scheduled press conference from his residence today after he was identified as a contact of someone who tested positive for COVID19. “We have to keep going and whether I’m at home or in the office, WHO will keep working to drive forward science, solutions and solidarity,” he told mediapersons here today.
“I have been identified as a contact of someone who has tested positive for #COVID19. I am well and without symptoms but will self-quarantine over the coming days, in line with @WHO protocols, and work from home,” Dr. Ghebreyesus disclosed in a series of tweets.
“It is critically important that we all comply with health guidance. This is how we will break chains of #COVID19 transmission, suppress the virus, and protect health systems,” he said, adding that “My @WHO colleagues and I will continue to engage with partners in solidarity to save lives and protect the vulnerable. Together!”
Dr. Ghebreyesus said that over the weekend while many countries brought COVID-19 under control, cases in some countries in Europe and North America continued to spike. “This is another critical moment for action. Another critical moment for leaders to step up. And another critical moment for people to come together for a common purpose. Seize the opportunity, it’s not too late,” he said at the press conference. He expressed concerns that in some countries, cases were going up exponentially and hospitals reaching capacity, “which poses a risk to patients and health workers alike”. He said this was leaving health workers with difficult decisions to make on how to prioritise care for those that are sick.
– globalbihari bureau
