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In addition to our weekly brief on the spread of COVID-19 and the actions that Africa CDC is taking to help member states, Africa CDC has begun to share a weekly brief detailing the latest changes in scientific knowledge and public health policy changes, as well as updates to the latest guidance from WHO and others. Contents of this document are not intended to serve as recommendations from the Africa CDC; rather, it is a summary of the factbase to help inform member states. It is important to note that the outbreak is evolving rapidly and that the nature of this information will continue to change. So we will continue to provide regular updates to ensure member states are informed of the most critical developments in these areas.
A Executive Summary
- A report on COVID-19 patients in China suggest that prior to the travel restrictions in January 23, 86% of all infections were undocumented and that these infections were the source of 79% of documented cases.
- A published study on aerosol and surface stability of SARS-CoV-2 suggests that the virus can remain viable in aerosols for up to 3 hours, copper for up to 4 hours, cardboard for up to 24 hours and plastics and steel for up to 4 days.
- An epidemic-modeling report suggests that a combination of case isolation, home quarantine and social distancing of >70-year-olds could reduce peak critical care demand by two-thirds and halve the number of deaths. However, this would still result in an 8-fold higher peak demand then surge capacity on critical care beds in both UK and the US. Leveraging population-wide social distancing, home isolation of cases and school and university closures have the potential to suppress transmission below the threshold of R=1, however, to avoid rebound in transmission, these policies would need to be maintained until large stocks of vaccines are available (which could be in 18 months).
- A clinical trial of lopinavir-ritonavir treatment on 199 patients found that intake of the drugs resulted in no benefit beyond standard care. Meanwhile, an observational trial suggests that chloroquine could be a promising treatment based on lower viral loads observed in patients who were administered the drug. However, randomized control trials need to be conducted in order to validate viability of the drug. Multiple trials are underway including a large global trial, SOLIDARITY, launched by WHO.
- The US FDA has granted 'emergency use authorization' to Cepheid's COVID-19 test. The test is a molecular, PCR-based test, that can provide accurate results in 45 minutes. The tests are planned to be rolled out on March 30.
- As cases in the continent continue to rise over the past week, African countries have imposed tighter travel and public health policies such as full border closures (e.g., Angola, Rwanda, Nigeria), cessation of air traffic (e.g., Kenya, Sierra Leone, Mauritania), entry restrictions for non-citizens / non-residents (e.g., Seychelles), lockdown (e.g., South Africa, Rwanda) and etc.
- Similarly, heavily affected countries globally have continued to enforce strict public health and travel policies such as entry restrictions for all foreigners (e.g., EU), closure of schools and non-essential businesses (e.g., Italy, US, UK) etc.
New Guidlines and Resources
- Since March 17th, WHO has published new and updated guidance on Critical Preparedness and Response Actions for COVID-19, Home care for patients with COVID- 19 presenting with mild symptoms, Rights, Roles and Responsibilities of health workers, IPC during health care, Guidance for Mental Health and Psychosocial considerations, Guidance for Population-based age-stratified seroepidemiological investigation protocol for COVID-19, Advice on the use of masks in the community, during home care and in healthcare settings
- US CDC has published new and updated guidance on Preparedness of Healthcare Facilities, Long-term Care Facilities / Nursing Homes, Criteria for Return to Work of a Healthcare Personnel with Confirmed or Suspected COVID-19, IPC for Outpatient Hemodialysis Facilities, Interim Guidelines for Collecting, Handling and Testing Clinical Specimens, Travel, Protecting and Preparing Home and Family for COVID-19
- ECDC has issued new guidance and resources on Safe handling of bodies of deceased persons with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, Supply of substances of human origin in the EU/EEA, Discharge criteria for confirmed COVID-19 cases, IPC in Healthcare Settings, Information for Specific Groups (e.g., Elderly, Chronic Disease Patients, Pregnant Women etc.) and Considerations relating to Social Distancing Measures
- The full list of latest guidance and resources from WHO and other public health institutions are listed at the end of this update in section G.
Scientific Updates
Basic science (virology, immunology, pathogenesis)
- A published study on aerosol and surface stability of SARS-CoV-2 suggests that the virus can remain viable in aerosols for up to 3 hours, copper for up to 4 hours, cardboard for up to 24 hours and plastics and steel for up to 4 days.
- A review of the viral dynamics of mild and severe patients (76) in Nanchang found that severe COVID-19 patients tend to have a high viral load (mean viral load that was 60x higher than that of mild cases') and a long virus-shedding period (90% of mild cases tested negative after 10 days, while severe cases all still tested positive).
- A case report on the kinetics of immune responses in relation to clinical and virologic features of a patient with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 found that increased antibody- secreting cells (ASCs), follicular helper T cells (TFH cells), activated CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells and immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG antibodies that bound the COVID-19- causing coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 were detected in blood before symptomatic recovery. These immunological changes persisted for at least 7 days following full resolution of symptoms. Further examinations of larger cohort sizes are needed to determine if such immune parameters can be used to predict disease outcomes.
Epidemiology
- An estimation of undocumented COVID-19 patients in China suggest that prior to the travel restrictions in January 23, 86% of all infections were undocumented and that these undocumented infections (many of whom were most likely not severely symptomatic) were the source of 79% of documented cases.
- A review of 1391 children tested (of which 171 or 12.3% were positive) from Jan 28 to Feb 26 in Wuhan suggests that most children have a milder clinical course and that asymptomatic cases are not uncommon. Only 42% of the children had fever, only 3 required intensive care (all of whom had coexisting conditions). As of March 8, there was only 1 death (a 10-month-old child with intussusception). 21 patients were in stable condition and 149 have been discharged.
- An investigation of 10 pediatric SARS-CoV-2 infection cases found that 8 of 10 children persistently tested positive on rectal swabs even after nasopharyngeal testing was negative, suggesting the possibility of fecal–oral transmission and that rectal swab-testing may be more useful than nasopharyngeal swab-testing in judging the effectiveness of treatment and determining the termination of quarantine. However, the report found no evidence of replication-competent virus in fecal swabs, which is required to confirm the potential for fecal–oral transmission.
- A single center observational study on 8 severe pediatric COVID-19 patients found that polypnea was the most common symptom, followed by fever and cough. Multiple patch- like shadows and ground-glass opacity in CT scans and a cytokine storm in these patients were observed.
- A review of literature describing 38 pregnant women with COVID-19 and their newborns in China reveals that COVID-19 did not lead to maternal deaths. More importantly, there were no confirmed cases of intrauterine transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from mothers with COVID-19 to their fetuses.
Diagnostics
- The US FDA has granted 'emergency use authorization' to Cepheid's COVID-19 test. The test is a molecular, PCR-based test, that can provide accurate results in 45 minutes. The tests are planned to be rolled out on March 30.
- An examination of the time kinetics of antibodies produced against SARS-CoV-2 suggests that humoral response to SARS-CoV-2 can aid in its diagnosis. IgM ELISA assay when combined with PCR can increase positive detection rate to 98.6% vs. a single qPCR test (51.9%). This methodology needs to be replicated further to fully assess effectiveness of IgM ELISA assay in diagnosis.
Care and Treatment
- A clinical trial of lopinavir-ritonavir treatment on 199 patients show that intake of the drugs resulted in no benefit i.e., clinical improvement that was one day shorter and no improvement in mortality or detectable viral RNA.
- An observational trial suggests that chloroquine could be a promising treatment based on lower viral loads observed in patients who were administered the drug. However, randomized control trials need to be conducted in order to validate viability of the drug.
- A network-based methodology for systematic identification of drugs for potential treatment of SARS-CoV-2 has prioritized 16 candidate repurposable drugs and 3 potential drug combinations. However, although the majority of predictions have been validated by various literature data, these must be validated in various experimental assays and randomized clinical trials before being used in patients.
- WHO announced a large global trial, called SOLIDARITY, focused on the four most promising therapies: remdesivir, chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir and ritonavir, and lopinavir and ritonavir plus interferon-beta, an immune system messenger that can help cripple viruses. Similarly, INSERM, announced that it will coordinate an add-on trial in Europe, named Discovery, that will follow WHO’s example and will include 3200 patients from at least seven countries, including 800 from France. That trial will test the same drugs, except for chloroquine.
Vaccines
- China has authorized clinical trials on its first vaccine developed to combat the new coronavirus, according to a report in the ruling Communist Party's People's Daily.
- Moderna is seeking to provide access to the vaccine to a limited group, likely consisting of healthcare workers, by as early as this fall. The company plans to do so under an emergency use authorization from the US FDA.
Non-pharmaceutical interventions, social distancing
- The epidemic-modeling report out of Imperial College London suggests that unmitigated, the outbreak would result in approximately 510,000 deaths in the UK and 2.2 million in the US. Implementing an "optimal" mitigation strategy (i.e., reducing R but not to less than 1 through a combination of case isolation, home quarantine and social distancing of >70-year-old) reduces peak critical care demand by two-thirds and halves the number of deaths. However, this scenario would still result in an 8-fold higher peak demand on critical care beds over and above the available surge capacity in both UK and the US. Leveraging population-wide social distancing, home isolation of cases and school and university closures – has the potential to suppress transmission below the threshold of R=1, however, to avoid rebound in transmission, these policies would need to be maintained until large stocks of vaccines are available (which could be in 18 months).
Related Public Health Policy
Africa
- As cases in the continent continue to rise over the past week, African countries have continued to impose tighter travel and public health policies to manage the outbreak: (not exhaustive)
- Full border closure (air, land, sea) except for cargo / freight and emergencies: Angola, Burkina Faso, Congo Republic, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Uganda, Zimbabwe
- International air traffic closure: Kenya, Mauritania, Sierra Leone
- Flight suspensions to/from high risk countries: Mali, South Sudan
- Entry restrictions for non-citizens / non- residents coming from high risk countries: Eswatini, Côte d'Ivoire, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles
- Mandatory facility quarantine at own expense of traveler: Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania
- Lock down (limiting of movement outside home) and curfew: Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, DRC, Gabon, Madagascar, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia
- Shutdown of educational / religious institutions and entertainment venues, banning of mass gatherings: Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, DRC, Eswatini, Gabon, Mali, Kenya, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe and etc.
- Limitation on prison and hospital visits: Eswatini, Gabon, Zimbabwe
- Equatorial Guinea has committed to contribute 5 billion CFA francs (about $8 million) to a special emergency fund to manage the COVID-19 outbreak.
- Kenya, Uganda, Cameroon and Ghana have asked banks and mobile network operators to promote more efficient, digital forms of payment (e.g., lower or no tariffs on mobile money transfers)
- Ethiopian Airlines has started the distribution of coronavirus donation made to Africa by Chinese business mogul Jack Ma, CEO of e-commerce giants Ali Baba. The carrier will start distribution to its neighbors – Eritrea, Djibouti, Egypt and Sudan.
- Ethiopian Airlines has suspended flights to 30 affected countries.
- Refer to Section E and F for the full summary of travel restrictions and social distancing measures implemented by African countries.
Rest of World
- As COVID-19 cases outside China accelerate rapidly, heavily affected countries have continued to impose public health policies to contain the outbreak
- The European Union (EU) will impose an entry ban on travelers from outside the bloc for 30 days, only nationals of EFTA countries and Britain are exempt.
- Italy has ordered all non-essential businesses to close until April 3. The army was deployed to enforce lockdown in the country’s worst-hit region. In addition, the country will rush 10,000 student doctors into service, scrapping their final exams.
- Multiple states in the US have ordered closures of schools / education institutions and non-essential businesses. The US military will make available up to 5 million respirator masks and protective equipment
- Germany has expanded entry restrictions to include flights from Italy, Spain, Austria, France, Luxembourg, Denmark and Switzerlan
- UK has announced a strict lockdown in the country, restricting public movement to essential activities.
- Canada's most populous province Ontario has ordered the closure of bars and restaurants and banned gatherings of more than 50 people.
- As cases across multiple countries across all continent grow, countries have increasingly
imposed restrictive travel and public health policies (not exhaustive)
- Full border closures: Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Malaysia, Lithuania, Honduras
- Suspension of all international flights: Belgium, UAE, Pakistan, Vietnam, etc.
- Entry restrictions to travelers from specific countries or all foreigners: Australia, Russia, Uzbekistan Singapore, Jamaica, Cuba
- Suspension of travel to and from high risk areas e.g., Argentina, Bangladesh, Netherlands, Turkey, Jordan
- Community quarantine / lockdown: El Salvador, Bolivia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Peru, Philippines, Iraq
- Shutdown of educational institutions, religious institutions, and other public areas: Afghanistan, Australia, India, Qatar, UAE, Armenia, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Italy, Poland etc.
- Banning of mass / public gatherings: Oman, Lebanon, Qatar and etc.
- While domestic cases in China have waned, imported cases have risen. As a result, the country has tightened quarantine measures for travelers arriving into the country, requiring all travelers arriving in Beijing and Hong Kong are required to go into centralized quarantine locations for 14 days.
Summary of Travel Restriction implemented By Member States
|
Last updated |
Country |
Mandatory self- quaran- tine |
Mandatory facility quarantine for all travelers |
Entry restric- tions (incl. visa limitations) |
Flight / travel suspensions to specific countries |
Air traffic closure |
Full border closure |
|
18-Mar |
Algeria |
y |
|||||
|
21-Mar |
Angola |
y |
|||||
|
17-Mar |
Benin |
y |
y |
||||
|
17-Mar |
Botswana |
y |
|||||
|
21-Mar |
Burkina Faso |
y |
|||||
|
24-Mar |
Burundi |
y |
|||||
|
18-Mar |
Cabo Verde |
y |
y |
||||
|
18-Mar |
Cameroon |
y |
|||||
|
18-Mar |
Central African Republic |
||||||
|
18-Mar |
Chad |
y |
y |
y |
|||
|
17-Mar |
Comoros |
y |
|||||
|
21-Mar |
Congo Republic |
y |
|||||
|
18-Mar |
Côte d'Ivoire |
y |
y |
||||
|
18-Mar |
Djibouti |
y |
|||||
|
18-Mar |
DR Congo |
y |
|||||
|
17-Mar |
Egypt |
y |
|||||
|
18-Mar |
Equatorial Guinea |
y |
|||||
|
17-Mar |
Eritrea |
y |
|||||
|
18-Mar |
Eswatini |
y |
y |
||||
|
23-Mar |
Ethiopia |
y |
y |
||||
|
20-Mar |
Gabon |
y |
y |
||||
|
23-Mar |
Gambia |
y |
|||||
|
22-Mar |
Ghana |
y |
|||||
|
17-Mar |
Guinea |
y |
|||||
|
18-Mar |
Guinea- Bissau |
y |
|||||
|
22-Mar |
Kenya |
y |
y |
||||
|
17-Mar |
Lesotho |
y |
|||||
|
17-Mar |
Liberia |
y |
|||||
|
18-Mar |
Libya |
y |
|||||
|
18-Mar |
Madagascar |
y |
|||||
|
17-Mar |
Malawi |
y |
|||||
|
18-Mar |
Mali |
y |
|||||
|
21-Mar |
Mauritania |
y |
|||||
|
18-Mar |
Mauritius |
y |
y |
||||
|
17-Mar |
Morocco |
y |
|||||
|
17-Mar |
Mozambique |
y |
|||||
|
18-Mar |
Namibia |
y |
y |
||||
|
21-Mar |
Niger |
y |
|||||
|
21-Mar |
Nigeria |
y |
|||||
|
21-Mar |
Rwanda |
y |
|||||
|
19-Mar |
Sahrawi Republic |
y |
|||||
|
18-Mar |
Sao Tome and Principe |
y |
|
Last updated |
Country |
Mandatory self- quaran- tine |
Mandatory facility quarantine for all travelers |
Entry restric- tions (incl. visa limitations) |
Flight / travel suspensions to specific countries |
Air traffic closure |
Full border closure |
|
18-Mar |
Senegal |
y |
|||||
|
18-Mar |
Seychelles |
y |
|||||
|
23-Mar |
Sierra Leone |
y |
|||||
|
18-Mar |
Somalia |
y |
|||||
|
17-Mar |
South Africa |
y |
y |
||||
|
21-Mar |
South Sudan |
y |
y |
||||
|
17-Mar |
Sudan |
y |
y |
||||
|
23-Mar |
Tanzania |
y |
|||||
|
24-Mar |
Togo |
y |
|||||
|
18-Mar |
Tunisia |
y |
y |
||||
|
22-Mar |
Uganda |
y |
|||||
|
18-Mar |
Zambia |
y |
|||||
|
24-Mar |
Zimbabwe |
y |
Summary of social distancing measures implemented by Member States
|
Last updated |
Country |
Closure of educational institutions |
Banning of mass gatherings, closure of public spaces |
Measures for special populations e.g., prison, elder homes |
Lockdown (e.g., curfew, stay at home) |
|
12-Mar |
Algeria |
y |
y |
||
|
19-Mar |
Angola |
y |
|||
|
18-Mar |
Benin |
y |
|||
|
19-Mar |
Botswana |
y |
|||
|
20-Mar |
Burkina Faso |
y |
y |
y |
|
|
19-Mar |
Burundi |
||||
|
18-Mar |
Cabo Verde |
y |
|||
|
17-Mar |
Cameroon |
y |
y |
||
|
19-Mar |
Central African Republic |
||||
|
20-Mar |
Chad |
y |
|||
|
19-Mar |
Comoros |
||||
|
19-Mar |
Congo Republic |
||||
|
23-Mar |
Côte d'Ivoire |
y |
y |
y |
|
|
20-Mar |
Djibouti |
y |
|||
|
23-Mar |
DR Congo |
y |
y |
y |
|
|
16-Mar |
Egypt |
y |
y |
||
|
19-Mar |
Equatorial Guinea |
||||
|
23-Mar |
Eritrea |
y |
|||
|
17-Mar |
Eswatini |
y |
y |
y |
|
|
16-Mar |
Ethiopia |
y |
y |
||
|
21-Mar |
Gabon |
y |
y |
y |
y |
|
17-Mar |
Gambia |
y |
y |
||
|
16-Mar |
Ghana |
y |
y |
||
|
19-Mar |
Guinea |
||||
|
19-Mar |
Guinea-Bissau |
||||
|
15-Mar |
Kenya |
y |
y |
||
|
19-Mar |
Lesotho |
y |
|||
|
18-Mar |
Liberia |
y |
y |
||
|
13-Mar |
Libya |
y |
y |
|
Last updated |
Country |
Closure of educational institutions |
Banning of mass gatherings, closure of public spaces |
Measures for special populations e.g., prison, elder homes |
Lockdown (e.g., curfew, stay at home) |
|
23-Mar |
Madagascar |
y |
|||
|
29-Mar |
Malawi |
y |
y |
||
|
18-Mar |
Mali |
y |
y |
||
|
14-Mar |
Mauritania |
y |
y |
y |
|
|
18-Mar |
Mauritius |
y |
|||
|
14-Mar |
Morocco |
y |
y |
||
|
19-Mar |
Mozambique |
y |
y |
||
|
17-Mar |
Namibia |
y |
y |
||
|
19-Mar |
Niger |
y |
y |
||
|
21-Mar |
Nigeria |
y |
|||
|
21-Mar |
Rwanda |
y |
|||
|
19-Mar |
Sahrawi Republic |
||||
|
19-Mar |
Sao Tome and Principe |
||||
|
24-Mar |
Senegal |
y |
y |
y |
|
|
19-Mar |
Seychelles |
||||
|
18-Mar |
Sierra Leone |
y |
|||
|
19-Mar |
Somalia |
||||
|
23-Mar |
South Africa |
y |
|||
|
19-Mar |
South Sudan |
y |
|||
|
14-Mar |
Sudan |
y |
y |
||
|
17-Mar |
Tanzania |
y |
y |
||
|
19-Mar |
Togo |
||||
|
20-Mar |
Tunisia |
y |
y |
y |
|
|
18-Mar |
Uganda |
y |
y |
||
|
17-Mar |
Zambia |
y |
y |
||
|
23-Mar |
Zimbabwe |
y |
y |
y |
WHO Guidlines and Resources
|
Organization |
Date published |
|
|
Guidance or resource name |
||
|
Country readiness |
||
|
WHO |
9-Jan-2020 |
National capacities review tool for a novel coronavirus |
|
WHO |
19-Mar-2020 |
Critical preparedness, readiness and response actions for COVID-19 |
|
WHO |
4-Mar-2020 |
Operational Planning Guidelines and COVID-19 Partners Platform to support country preparedness and response |
|
Surveillance and case definitions |
||
|
WHO |
27-Feb-2020 |
Global Surveillance for human infection with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) |
|
WHO |
27-Feb-2020 |
Revised case reporting form for COVID-19 for confirmed cases and their outcome |
|
WHO |
n/a |
Emerging respiratory viruses, including 2019-nCoV: methods for detection, prevention, response and control |
|
WHO |
n/a |
Global COVID-19 Clinical Characterization Case Record Form and new data platform for anonymized COVID-19 clinical data |
|
Organization |
Date published |
|
|
Guidance or resource name |
||
|
WHO |
n/a |
Case Reporting Form for COVID-19 |
|
Laboratory guidance |
||
|
WHO |
2-Mar-2020 |
Laboratory testing for 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in suspected human cases |
|
WHO |
1-Mar-2020 |
Guidance for laboratories shipping specimens to WHO reference laboratories that provide confirmatory testing for COVID-19 virus |
|
Patient management |
||
|
WHO |
13-Mar-2020 |
Clinical management of severe acute respiratory infection when novel coronavirus (nCoV) infection is suspected |
|
WHO |
17-Mar-2020 |
Home care for patients with suspected novel coronavirus (nCoV) infection presenting with mild symptoms and management of contacts |
|
WHO |
n/a |
WHO Critical Care Severe Acute Respiratory Infection Training Short Course |
|
WHO |
19-Mar-2020 |
The Rights, Roles and Responsibilities Of Health Workers, Including Key Considerations For Occupational Safety And Health |
|
WHO |
19-Mar-2020 |
Mental health and psychosocial considerations during the COVID-19 outbreak |
|
Infection prevention and control |
||
|
WHO |
19-Mar -2020 |
Infection prevention and control during health care when novel coronavirus (nCoV) infection is suspected |
|
WHO |
19-Mar-2020 |
Advice on the use of masks in the community, during home care and in health care settings in the context of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak |
|
WHO |
10-Feb-2020 |
Q&A on infection prevention and control for health care workers caring for patients with suspected or confirmed 2019- nCoV |
|
WHO |
11-Feb-2020 |
Key considerations for repatriation and quarantine of travellers in relation to the outbreak of novel coronavirus 2019-nCoV |
|
WHO |
16-Feb-2020 |
Management of ill travellers at Points of Entry – international airports, seaports and ground crossings – in the context of COVID-19 outbreak |
|
WHO |
18-Feb-2020 |
Surface sampling of coronavirus disease (COVID-19): A practical “how to” protocol for health care and public health professionals |
|
WHO |
14-Feb-2020 |
Key planning recommendations for Mass Gatherings in the context of the current COVID-19 outbreak |
|
WHO |
n/a |
Online course for public health preparedness for mass gathering events |
|
WHO |
n/a |
Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) |
|
WHO |
27-Feb-2020 |
Rational use of personal protective equipment |
|
Organization |
Date published |
|
|
Guidance or resource name |
||
|
for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) |
||
|
WHO |
1-Mar-2016 |
Handbook for the Management of Public Health Events in Air Transport |
|
WHO |
1-Jan-2016 |
Handbook for management of public health events on board ships |
|
WHO |
24-Jan-2011 |
Handbook for inspection of ships and issuance of ship sanitation certificates |
|
Early investigations |
||
|
WHO |
25-Jan-2020 |
Protocol for assessment of potential risk factors for 2019-novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection among health care workers in a health care setting |
|
WHO |
25-Jan-2020 |
Household transmission investigation protocol for 2019-novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection |
|
WHO |
29-Jan-2020 |
The First Few X (FFX) Cases and contact investigation protocol for 2019-novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection |
|
WHO |
25-Jan-2020 |
Global 2019-nCoV Clinical Characterization Case Record Form |
|
WHO |
16-Feb-2020 |
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) technical guidance: Early investigations |
|
WHO |
13-Mar-2020 |
Considerations in the investigation of cases and clusters of COVID-19 |
|
WHO |
17-Mar-2020 |
Population-based age-stratified seroepidemiological investigation protocol for COVID-19 virus infection |
|
Risk communication & community engagement |
||
|
WHO |
16-Mar-2020 |
Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) Action Plan Guidance COVID-19 Preparedness and Response |
|
WHO |
5-Mar-2020 |
The COVID-19 Risk Communication Package For Healthcare Facilities |
|
WHO |
10-Mar-2020 |
Risk Communication guidance - COVID-19, older adults and people with underlying medical conditions |
|
WHO |
10-Mar-2020 |
Guidance to protect children and support safe school operations |
|
Disease commodity package |
||
|
WHO |
10-Jan-2020 |
Disease commodity package - Novel Coronavirus (nCoV) |
|
Reduction of transmission of animals to humans |
||
|
WHO |
n/a |
WHO recommendations to reduce risk of transmission of emerging pathogens from animals to humans in live animal markets |
|
Travel advice |
||
|
WHO |
29-Feb-2020 |
Updated WHO recommendations for international traffic in relation to COVID-19 outbreak |
|
Others |
||
|
Organization |
Date published |
|
|
Guidance or resource name |
||
|
WHO |
3-Feb-2020 |
2019-nCoV Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan |
|
IATA (in partnership with WHO) |
n/a |
Emergency Response Plan and Action Checklist (for air carriers) |
|
IATA (in partnership with WHO) |
n/a |
Air Transport & Communicable Diseases Guidelines |
|
WHO |
12-Feb-2020 |
2019 Novel Coronavirus: Global Research and Innovation Forum: Towards a Research Roadmap/report |
|
WHO |
11-Feb-2020 |
2019 Novel Coronavirus: Global Research and Innovation Forum: Towards a Research Roadmap/report - presentation |
|
WHO |
18-Feb-2020 |
COVID-19 Phase IIb/III Vaccine Trial Synopsis |
|
WHO |
19-Feb-2020 |
Emerging respiratory viruses, including nCoV: methods for detection, prevention, response and control |
|
WHO |
19-Feb-2020 |
ePROTECT Respiratory Infections (EN) |
|
WHO |
24-Feb-2020 |
Operational considerations for managing COVID-19 cases/outbreak on board ships |
|
WHO |
6-Mar-2020 |
Q&A on COVID-19 vs. Influenza |
Other public health institutions guidance and resources
|
Organization |
Date published |
|
|
Guidance or resource name |
||
|
Country readiness |
||
|
ECDC |
17-Mar-2020 |
Guidance for health system contingency planning during widespread transmission of SARS-CoV-2 with high impact on healthcare services |
|
Surveillance and case definitions |
||
|
US CDC |
2-Feb-2020 |
Interim Guidance for Healthcare Professionals |
|
US CDC |
2-Feb-2020 |
Flowchart to Identify and Assess 2019 Novel Coronavirus |
|
US CDC |
n/a |
Check and Record Everyday Booklet – China |
|
US CDC |
21-Mar-2020 |
Information for Health Departments on Reporting Cases of COVID-19 |
|
US CDC |
22-Mar-2020 |
Interim US Guidance for Risk Assessment and Public Health Management of Persons with Potential Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Exposures: Geographic Risk and Contacts of Laboratory-confirmed Cases |
|
ECDC |
n/a |
Case definition and European surveillance for human infection with novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) |
|
Laboratory guidance |
||
|
Organization |
Date published |
|
|
Guidance or resource name |
||
|
US CDC |
28-Jan-2020 |
US CDC panel primer and probes– U.S. CDC, USAV – U.S. CDC, USA |
|
US CDC |
n/a |
Information for Laboratories 2019-nCoV Requests for Diagnostic Panels and Virus |
|
US CDC |
n/a |
Real-Time RT-PCR Panel for Detection 2019-Novel Coronavirus |
|
US CDC |
n/a |
2019-Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Real-time rRT-PCR Panel Primers and Probes |
|
US CDC |
17-Feb-2020 |
Interim Laboratory Biosafety Guidelines for Handling and Processing Specimens Associated with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) |
|
US CDC |
21-Mar-2020 |
Interim Guidelines for Collecting, Handling, and Testing Clinical Specimens from Persons for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) |
|
US CDC |
21-Mar-2020 |
Interim Guidelines for Collecting, Handling, and Testing Clinical Specimens from Persons Under Investigation (PUIs) for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) |
|
US CDC |
19-Feb-2020 |
Interim Guidance for Collection and Submission of Postmortem Specimens from Deceased Persons Under Investigation (PUI) for COVID-19, February 2020 |
|
ECDC |
13-Jan-2020 |
Diagnostic detection of Wuhan coronavirus 2019 by real-time RTPCR |
|
China CDC |
24-Jan-2020 |
China CDC Primers and probes for detection 2019-nCoV |
|
Patient management |
||
|
US CDC |
n/a |
Healthcare Professional Preparedness Checklist For Transport and Arrival of Patients Potentially Infected with 2019-nCoV |
|
US CDC |
n/a |
Hospital Preparedness Checklist for Suspected or Confirmed 2019-nCoV Patients |
|
US CDC |
7-Mar-2020 |
Interim Clinical Guidance for Management of Patients with Confirmed Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) |
|
US CDC |
31-Jan-2020 |
Interim Guidance for Implementing Home Care of People Not Requiring Hospitalization for 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019- nCoV) |
|
US CDC |
12-Feb-2020 |
Interim Guidance for Implementing Home Care of People Not Requiring Hospitalization for 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019- nCoV) |
|
US CDC |
n/a |
Interim Guidance on Breastfeeding for a Mother Confirmed or Under Investigation For COVID-19 |
|
US CDC |
n/a |
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers: Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) and Children |
|
US CDC |
n/a |
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and Pregnancy |
|
Organization |
Date published |
|
|
Guidance or resource name |
||
|
US CDC |
n/a |
What Healthcare Personnel Should Know about Caring for Patients with Confirmed or Possible COVID-19 Infection |
|
US CDC |
n/a |
Interim Guidance for Public Health Professionals Managing People With COVID-19 in Home Care and Isolation Who Have Pets or Other Animals |
|
US CDC |
n/a |
Interim Guidance for Healthcare Facilities: Preparing for Community Transmission of COVID-19 in the United States |
|
US CDC |
n/a |
Preparing for COVID-19: Long-term Care Facilities, Nursing Homes |
|
US CDC |
n/a |
Steps Healthcare Facilities Can Take Now to Prepare for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) |
|
US CDC |
n/a |
Criteria for Return to Work for Healthcare Personnel with Confirmed or Suspected COVID-19 (Interim Guidance) |
|
ECDC |
30-Jan-2020 |
Advice to healthcare workers: management of patients with 2019-nCoV infection |
|
ECDC |
10-Feb-2020 |
Guidelines for the use of non-pharmaceutical measures to delay and mitigate the impact of 2019-nCoV |
|
ECDC |
10-Mar-2020 |
Novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) - Discharge criteria for confirmed COVID-19 cases |
|
PHE |
5-Mar-2020 |
Infographic on COVID-19 primary care in the UK |
|
Infection prevention and control |
||
|
US CDC |
21-Feb-2020 |
Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Patients with Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) or Persons Under Investigation for COVID-19 in Healthcare Settings |
|
US CDC |
n/a |
Healthcare Supply of Personal Protective Equipment |
|
US CDC |
22-Mar-2020 |
Interim US Guidance for Risk Assessment and Public Health Management of Persons with Potential Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Exposures: Geographic Risk and Contacts of Laboratory-confirmed Cases |
|
US CDC |
n/a |
Interim Considerations for Infection Prevention and Control of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Inpatient Obstetric Healthcare Settings |
|
US CDC |
11-Feb-2020 |
Interim Guidance for Discontinuation of In-Home Isolation for Patients with COVID-19 |
|
US CDC |
11-Feb-2020 |
Interim Guidance for Discontinuation of Transmission-Based Precautions and Disposition of Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19 |
|
US CDC |
25-Feb-2020 |
Interim Guidance for Preventing the Spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Homes and Residential Communities |
|
US CDC |
n/a |
Interim U.S. Guidance for Risk Assessment and Public Health Management of Healthcare Personnel with Potential |
|
Organization |
Date published |
|
|
Guidance or resource name |
||
|
Exposure in a Healthcare Setting to Patients with 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) |
||
|
US CDC |
n/a |
Interim Guidance for Public Health Personnel Evaluating Persons Under Investigation (PUIs) and Asymptomatic Close Contacts of Confirmed Cases at Their Home or Non-Home Residential Setting |
|
US CDC |
n/a |
Healthcare Infection Prevention and Control FAQs for COVID-19 |
|
US CDC |
n/a |
Strategies for Optimizing the Supply of N95 Respirators |
|
US CDC |
28-Feb-2020 |
Checklist for Healthcare Facilities: Strategies for Optimizing the Supply of N95 Respirators during the COVID-19 Response |
|
US CDC |
28-Feb-2020 |
Release of Stockpiled N95 Filtering Facepiece Respirators Beyond the Manufacturer-Designated Shelf Life: Considerations for the COVID-19 Response |
|
US CDC |
n/a |
Interim Additional Guidance for Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Patients with Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19 in Outpatient Hemodialysis Facilities |
|
ECDC |
29-Jan-2020 |
Public health management of persons having had contact with novel coronavirus cases in the European Union |
|
ECDC |
12-Mar-2020 |
Infection prevention and control for COVID-19 in healthcare settings |
|
ECDC |
7-Feb-2020 |
Personal protective equipment (PPE) needs in healthcare settings for the care of patients with suspected or confirmed novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) |
|
ECDC |
18-Feb-2020 |
Interim guidance for environmental cleaning in non-healthcare facilities exposed to SARS-CoV-2 |
|
ECDC |
2-Mar-2020 |
Resource estimation for contact tracing, quarantine and monitoring activities for COVID-19 cases in the EU/EEA |
|
ECDC |
28-Feb-2020 |
Guidance for wearing and removing personal protective equipment in healthcare settings for the care of patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 |
|
ECDC |
25-Feb-2020 |
Public health management of persons, including health care workers, having had contact with COVID-19 cases in the European Union |
|
ECDC |
26-Feb-2020 |
Checklist for hospitals preparing for the reception and care of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) patients |
|
ECDC |
23-Mar-2020 |
Considerations related to the safe handling of bodies of deceased persons with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 |
|
Early investigations |
||
|
US CDC |
28-Feb-2020 |
Recommendations for Reporting, Testing, and Specimen Collection |
|
US CDC |
3-Feb-2020 |
Patient Under Investigation form |
|
US CDC |
4-Mar-2020 |
Evaluating and Reporting Patients Under Investigation (PUI) |
|
Organization |
Date published |
|
|
Guidance or resource name |
||
|
US CDC |
2-Feb-2020 |
Interim Guidelines for Collecting, Handling, and Testing Clinical Specimens from Patients Under Investigation (PUIs) for 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) |
|
US CDC |
n/a |
Information for Health Departments on Reporting a Patient Under Investigation (PUI) for 2019-nCoV |
|
US CDC |
n/a |
Case Report Form for 2019 Novel Coronavirus |
|
ECDC |
30-Jan-2020 |
Algorithm for management of contacts of probable or confirmed 2019-nCoV cases |
|
Risk communication & community engagement |
||
|
US CDC |
24-Feb-2020 |
CDC in Action: Preparing Communities for Potential Spread of COVID-19 |
|
US CDC |
n/a |
Interim Guidance: Get Your Household Ready for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) |
|
US CDC |
n/a |
Interim Guidance for Administrators of US Childcare Programs and K-12 Schools to Plan, Prepare, and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) |
|
US CDC |
8-Mar-2020 |
Resources for Institutes of Higher Education |
|
US CDC |
8-Mar-2020 |
COVID-19 and Cruise Ship Travel |
|
US CDC |
8-Mar-2020 |
Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations |
|
US CDC |
8-Mar-2020 |
People at Risk for Serious Illness from COVID-19 |
|
US CDC |
8-Mar-2020 |
What law enforcement personnel need to know about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) |
|
US CDC |
n/a |
Resources for Community- and Faith-Based Leaders |
|
US CDC |
n/a |
Resources for Homeless Shelters |
|
US CDC |
n/a |
Protect Your Home |
|
US CDC |
17-Mar-2020 |
Protect Your Family |
|
US CDC |
n/a |
How to Prepare for COVID-19 |
|
US CDC |
18-Mar-2020 |
How to Protect Yourself |
|
US CDC |
21-Mar-2020 |
Older Adults |
|
US CDC |
17-Mar-2020 |
People with Asthma and COVID-19 |
|
US CDC |
22-Mar-2020 |
Schools, Workplaces & Community Locations |
|
ECDC |
13-Feb-2020 |
Guidance on community engagement for public health events caused by communicable disease threats in the EU/EEA |
|
ECDC |
12-Mar-2020 |
Information on COVID-19 for specific groups: the elderly, patients with chronic diseases, people with immunocompromising condition and pregnant women |
|
ECDC |
11-Mar-2020 |
Considerations relating to social distancing measures in response to the COVID-19 epidemic |
|
Disease commodity package |
||
|
Organization |
Date published |
|
|
Guidance or resource name |
||
|
US CDC |
2-Feb-2020 |
Interim Laboratory Biosafety Guidelines for Handling and Processing Specimens Associated with 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) |
|
Travel advice |
||
|
US CDC |
n/a |
Travelers from China Arriving in the United States |
|
US CDC |
n/a |
Communication Resources for Travelers |
|
US CDC |
22-Mar-2020 |
Coronavirus Disease 2019 Information for Travel |
|
ECDC |
30-Jan-2020 |
Advice for travellers: outbreak of a novel coronavirus 2019- nCoV |
|
Others |
||
|
US CDC |
13-Feb-2020 |
Interim Guidance for Airlines and Airline Crew: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) |
|
US CDC |
4-Feb-2020 |
2019 Novel Coronavirus: Interim Health Guidance from the Federal Aviation Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for Air Carriers and Crews |
|
US CDC |
n/a |
Preventing Spread of Disease on Commercial Aircraft: Guidance for Cabin Crew |
|
US CDC |
n/a |
Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV), February 2020 |
|
US CDC |
n/a |
Interim Guidance for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems and 911 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) for 2019-nCoV in the United States |
|
US CDC |
18-Feb-2020 |
Interim Guidance for Ships on Managing Suspected Coronavirus Disease 2019 |
|
ECDC |
23-Mar-2020 |
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and supply of substances of human origin in the EU/EEA |
|
Social distancing |
||
|
ECDC |
18-Mar-2020 |
Video on COVID-19: Why social distancing is important |
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
