This message includes updates on the COVID-19 response from CDC. This is a rapidly evolving situation and information will be updated as it becomes available.

Received this email from a friend? Sign up now

View this email in your web browser

November 24, 2020 This message includes updates on the COVID-19 response from CDC. The COVID-19 Outbreak is a rapidly evolving situation and information will be updated as it becomes available.

Celebrating Thanksgiving As cases of COVID-19 continue to increase rapidly across the United States, the safest way to celebrate Thanksgiving is at home with the people you live with. Gatherings with family and friends who do not live with you can increase the chances of getting or spreading COVID-19 or the flu. If having guests to your home, limit the number of guests, have conversations with guests ahead of time to set expectations for celebrating together, and clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and items between use. If celebrating indoors, bring in fresh air by opening windows and doors, if possible. Have guests bring their own food and drink and if sharing food, have one person serve food and use single-use options, like plastic utensils. Other Thanksgiving activities to consider include a virtual Thanksgiving meal with family and friends who don’t live with you, watching television and playing games with people in your household, online shopping, and delivering food to family and neighbors in a way that does not involve contact with others. Everyone can make Thanksgiving safer by wearing a mask and staying at least 6 feet from others who do not live with you. For more tips on making Thanksgiving safer, visit  Tips to Make Thanksgiving Safer

This Holiday Season Do What’s Best for You and Your Loved Ones Being away from family and friends during the holidays can be hard. Hard choices to be apart this year may mean that you can spend many more years with your loved ones. When you talk with your friends and family about plans, it’s okay if you decide to stay home and remain apart from others.  Do what is best for your health and the health of your loved ones. Eat healthy foods, get enough sleep, take care of your body, and stay active to lessen fatigue, anxiety, and sadness. This year spend time with those in your own household.  Do What's Best For You

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the U.S.

As of November 23, 2020 In the United States, there have been 12,175,921 confirmed cases of COVID-19 detected through U.S. public health surveillance systems in 50 states and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Marianas Islands, and U.S. Virgin Islands.  CDC provides updated U.S. case information online daily.

U.S. Cases

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1600 Clifton Rd   Atlanta, GA 30329   1-800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636)   TTY: 888-232-6348 Questions or Problems  |  Unsubscribe

Community Use of Masks to Control the Spread of COVID-19

This message includes updates on the COVID-19 response from CDC. This is a rapidly evolving situation and information will be updated as it becomes available.

Received this email from a friend? Sign up now

View this email in your web browser

November 16, 2020 This message includes updates on the COVID-19 response from CDC. The COVID-19 Outbreak is a rapidly evolving situation and information will be updated as it becomes available.

Wearing Masks to Control the Spread of COVID-19 People age 2 and older should wear masks in public settings and when around people who don’t live in their household. Masks offer some protection to you and are also meant to protect those around you, in case you have COVID-19, but don’t know it. A mask is NOT a substitute for social distancing and should still be worn in addition to staying at least 6 feet apart from others. However, masks may not be necessary when you are outside by yourself away from others, or with other people who live in your household.

Prevent Getting Sick

Households Living in Close Quarters If your household includes people who are at higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19, then all family members should act as if they are at higher risk too. Choose one or two family members who are not at a higher risk to run the essential errands. When running errands wear a mask, avoid crowds, and stay 6 feet apart from those who don’t live with you. If someone you live with becomes sick, provide a separate bedroom and bathroom for the person who is sick, if possible. If you cannot provide a separate room and bathroom, try to separate the person who is sick from other household members as much as possible.

COVID-19 in Close Quarters

Attending an Event or Gathering If you’re planning to attend an event or gathering, make sure to prepare before you go. Check with the person hosting the gathering on whether steps are in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Be prepared to bring supplies to help you and others stay healthy at the gathering. You should bring masks (bring extra), hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, and drinking water. While at the gathering, stay at least 6 feet apart from people who don’t live in your household; avoid self-serve food or drink options, such as buffets, salad bars, and condiment or drink stations; and wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer immediately before eating food or after touching any common surfaces like hand railings, door handles, and toilets. Stay home if you have been diagnosed with COVID-19, if you are waiting for COVID-19 test results or may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19.

COVID-19 Safety

Duration of Isolation and Precautions for Adults with COVID-19 The length of time a person has immunity to COVID-19 remains under investigation. Based on what we know from other related human coronaviruses, people appear to become susceptible to reinfection around 90 days after initially being infected. For people who have recovered from COVID-19, a positive COVID-19 test without new symptoms during the 90 days after initial infection more likely represents persistent shedding of viral RNA than reinfection. If such a person remains asymptomatic (or does not have symptoms) during this 90-day period, then any re-testing will not likely provide useful information, even if the person had close contact with an infected person.

Isolation and Precautions

Dining at a Restaurant Before dining at a restaurant, call and ask if all staff are wearing masks while at work, and if options for self-parking are available. Wear masks when within 6 feet from other people or indoors; maintain a distance of 6 feet or more in any entryway, hallway, or waiting area; sit outside when possible, and choose food and drink options that are not self-serve. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds when entering and exiting the restaurant or use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

Dining Precautions

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the U.S.

As of November 16, 2020 In the United States, there have been 10,984,398 confirmed cases of COVID-19 detected through U.S. public health surveillance systems in 50 states and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Marianas Islands, and U.S. Virgin Islands.  CDC provides updated U.S. case information online daily.

U.S. Cases

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1600 Clifton Rd   Atlanta, GA 30329   1-800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636)   TTY: 888-232-6348 Questions or Problems  |  Unsubscribe

WHO Health Emergency Highlights #109, October 2020

WHO's global response to COVID-19, disasters, and conflict; and support to countries on vaccination, disease outbreaks, and community health workers.

View this email in your browser Republic of Korea | Video 'The most important element for us is the public's trust' "Crisis response can only succeed if you are faithful to the fundamental values of your country." The Republic of Korea implemented a robust nationwide response, built on intensive testing and contact tracing, care for affected people, and a clear public information campaign. Drawing on lessons learned from past outbreaks and the advice and support of WHO, the country brought the epidemic under control and demonstrated the importance of adherence to proven public health measures. The push for a COVID-19 vaccine As WHO works with partners on the global response to COVID-19, including tracking the pandemic, advising on critical interventions, and distributing vital medical supplies to those in need, the race to find a vaccine has also highlighted how the world has come together as one community. Read more on how the COVAX Facility, led by WHO, Gavi and CEPI, is evaluating more than 100 COVID-19 vaccine candidates under development, with a number of these in the human trial phase. Staying safe during typhoon season As typhoons hit Vietnam and the Philippines recently, it is important to keep these simple but effective steps to stay safe during natural calamities; and especially in time of the COVID-19 pandemic. 'Science in 5' | Video How proper ventilation helps In this edition of the 'Science in 5' series, WHO's Dr Maria Neira explains how ventilation keeps homes, schools, offices, and shops safe from COVID-19. Click here for a full playlist of all episodes discussing different aspects of science in responding to COVID-19 – each explained in just five minutes. Sudan WHO strengthens a multi-sectoral response to floods and disease outbreaks Having experienced recurrent epidemic-prone disease outbreaks such as cholera, chikungunya, malaria, Rift Valley fever and measles, amongst others, Sudan is now responding to COVID-19. In addition, the country's worst floods in decades have affected more than 860,000 people, and killed more than 120. WHO supports the Ministry of Health to set up a clinic for many residents who lost their homes and have seen their health deteriorate due to difficult living conditions; and works with UNICEF and national and international partners in a well-coordinated multi-sectoral response.   Samoa Community strength, local knowledge, and collective memory prepare people for COVID-19 Memory of the measles outbreak in Samoa in 2019 galvanised communities' commitment to stay safe from COVID-19, using traditional resources and a holistic approach. Along with high rates of cancer, diabetes and heart disease, the COVID-19 pandemic means many people would be extremely vulnerable. Through the Delivering as One UN initiative and working with government, WHO supports the development of a community engagement strategy to boost the health system beyond COVID-19, along with partner NGOs. Laos PDR Data help to prepare and contain the COVID-19 outbreak  With the support of WHO, a system to collect vital information on the use of health resources such as ICU beds, ventilators, and staffing in designated COVID-19 treatment hospitals, has helped Laos PDR to evaluate trends and plan ahead. Since 2013, WHO has been supporting the country's long-term investment to build a national health information system based on software: the District Health Information System (DHIS2). South Sudan Vaccination campaign conducted to protect 93,000 people from yellow fever  "I learned that cases of yellow fever have been confirmed here, and as a parent I got worried that I and my family could get infected. When I heard we would be receiving the vaccines for free, I wanted to be the first to receive, along with my family members. The vaccines came at the right time," said Basenso Loro, 53-year-old resident of Rego village, South Sudan, on receiving his first-ever dose of the vaccine. Syria WHO delivers medical supplies to Syria A chartered aircraft landed in Damascus, Syria, to deliver 8.8 tonnes of medical kits and supplies for almost 2,000 beneficiaries and enough personal protective equipment to protect more than 4,000 health care workers, to support the health response in Syria as the country is expecting a surge in the number of COVID-19 cases. Belize WHO, EU support expansion of COVID-19 lab testing for Community Health Workers The European Union and the Pan American Health Organization have been supporting the COVID-19 response in Belize to enhance the Ministry of Health's capacity for decentralised and faster COVID-19 testing, improved infection prevention and control, and the delivery of health services to the community. By providing results quickly, the new testing capacity empowers frontline health workers to better manage cases by isolating and providing care to patients to prevent further spread of COVID-19 in the community. Cambodia Responding to the floods that affected people, homes, health facilities, schools WHO worked with the Royal Government of Cambodia to respond to COVID-19 and protect the health of the communities affected by floods that damaged 95,130 homes, over 25 health facilities and more than 560 schools, and resulted in 37 deaths and the evacuation of 42 332 people. WHO coordinates the response of UN agencies and international NGOs in the response. Bangladesh Ensuring the continuity of essential health services in the world's largest refugee camp Ensuring the continuity of essential health services in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, was a challenge even before the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has brought lockdowns and subsequent disruption to health services in the world's largest refugee camp. WHO's work in bringing routine immunisation programme is key to reduce the likelihood of outbreak-prone vaccine preventable diseases such as polio and measles among the Rohingya refugees. India Polio response networks bolster pandemic response Integrated polio surveillance and immunisation networks in five priority countries were re-purposed to prepare the most vulnerable populations and respond to COVID-19: polio networks help health authorities to detect, test, track, isolate and even prepare hospitals to provide adequate and timely treatment across the Southeast Asian Region. In neighbouring Afghanistan and Pakistan, the World Polio Day was commemorated for the same comprehensive approach in the polio response that is now used for COVID-19. Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict WHO delivered emergency medical supplies in response to the conflict WHO delivered medical supplies, consisting of trauma and surgical supplies to Armenia and Azerbaijan to help hundreds of civilians injured in the hostilities. WHO expressed concern at the violence that displaced tens of thousands of civilians, injured hundreds and killed many, as it exacerbates an accelerating COVID-19 transmission. Spotlight on Donor Support Japan and Korea support COVID-19 response in Bolivia  The Republic of Korea and the Government of Japan, working with WHO's Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), have been supporting Bolivia's COVID-19 pandemic response. Korea has given $500,000 to train health and laboratory workers, obtain tests, provide medical equipment, deliver protective gear for frontline COVID-19 health workers, and support numerous other activities. Responding to multi-dimensional emergency situations The people of Central Sahel are in dire need of help Along with the ongoing COVIDI-19 pandemic, the situation in the Central Sahel region has deteriorated significantly over the last years. Complex and fast-growing crises cause unprecedented needs, while armed violence and insecurity have forced more people to flee their homes, and disrupted basic social services and governance. Across the region, the number of internally displaced people has risen from 70,000 to 1.4 million in less than two years; including 1 million in Burkina Faso, 267,000 in Mali and 140,000 in western Niger. It's never been more urgent to be part of the global COVID-19 response. As of October, the Solidarity Response Fund has raised or committed $236,404,014 from more than 633,000 individuals, companies and philanthropies. But the urgency to support and be part of the global response to this pandemic continues. Click here to see how donations support various tracks of work with partners to ensure patients receive the care, frontline workers get essential protection and information, and accelerate research and development of a vaccine and treatments for all who need them. Donate now.   Subscribe to the Health Emergency Highlights www.who.int/emergencies Copyright © 2020 World Health Organization, all rights reserved. Would you like to change how you receive these emails? Update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list