U.N. News: Catch-up, ‘get ahead and stay ahead’ of coronavirus, urges U.N. health agency chief
“Global COVID-19 cases spiked to their highest level yet during last week, with many northern hemisphere countries seeing ‘a concerning rise in cases and hospitalizations,’ the U.N. health agency chief said on Monday, urging countries to ‘get ahead and stay ahead’ of the virus. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, head of the World Health Organization (WHO), informed journalists that ‘intensive care units are filling up to capacity in some places, particularly in Europe and North America’…” (10/26).

VOA News: WHO Director-General Warns Against Politicization of COVID-19 Pandemic
“The World Health Organization Monday once again warned nations against ‘the politicization’ of the COVID-19 pandemic, saying it has led to confusion and disrespect for science, and made the pandemic worse. … ‘Science continues to tell us the truth about this virus. How to contain it, suppress it and stop it from returning, and how to save lives among those it reaches,’ said the WHO chief. Tedros said countries that have followed the science have suppressed the virus and minimized deaths. But, he said, ‘where there has been political division at the national level; where there has been blatant disrespect for science and health professionals, confusion has spread, and cases and deaths have mounted.’ The director general said, ‘what will save lives is science, solutions, and solidarity'” (10/26).

Additional coverage of the WHO’s most recent COVID-19 assessment, as well as regional pandemic news from Europe and Latin America, is available from CIDRAP News, CNBC, Reuters, STAT, and U.N. News.