Global forum on COVID-19 pins down research priorities: WHO
The 2-day forum was held at the World Health Organization’s Geneva headquarters. Over 300 scientists and researchers with many different backgrounds of study, helped address the current level and knowledge of the COVID-19 Disease (coronavirus). This includes, ways to collaborate and fund priority research to help stop this outbreak and prepare for the future.
A TWO-DAY forum on COVID-19 coordinated by the World Health Organization (WHO) concluded in Geneva on Wednesday, setting research priorities for scientists worldwide to better understand and fight the disease.
The forum, attended by about 350 experts and representatives from 68 institutions, aimed to mobilize international action in response to COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, by identifying key knowledge gaps and research priorities.
According to Soumya Swaminathan, WHO chief scientist, it was very fortunate to have doctors from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention at the forum online to present the data of research already initiated in China.
Meanwhile, development of vaccines and therapeutics is among other medium-term priorities, Swaminathan said.
In addition, scientists agreed that there must be a master clinical trial protocol to set out the options for different drugs that could be tested, either individually or in combination, she said.
Leading health experts from around the world have identified gaps and work together to accelerate and fund priority research needed to help stop this outbreak and prepare for any future outbreaks.
The forum was convened in line with the WHO R&D Blueprint – a strategy for developing drugs and vaccines before epidemics, and accelerating R and D while they are occurring.
“This outbreak is a test of solidarity - political, financial and scientific. We need to come together to fight a common enemy that does not respect borders, ensure that we have the resources necessary to bring this outbreak to an end and bring our best science to the forefront to find shared answers to shared problems. Research is an integral part of the outbreak response,” said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “I appreciate the positive response of the research community to join us at short notice and come up with concrete plans and commitment to work together.”
The meeting, hosted in collaboration with GloPID-R (the Global Research Collaboration for Infectious Disease Preparedness) brought together major research funders and over 300 scientists and researchers from a large variety of disciplines. They discussed all aspects of the outbreak and ways to control it including:
• the natural history of the virus, its transmission and diagnosis;
• animal and environmental research on the origin of the virus, including management measures at the human-animal interface;
• epidemiological studies;
• clinical characterization and management of disease caused by the virus;
• infection prevention and control, including best ways to protect health care workers;
• research and development for candidate therapeutics and vaccines;
• ethical considerations for research;
• and integration of social sciences into the outbreak response.
“This meeting allowed us to identify the urgent priorities for research. As a group of funders we will continue to mobilize, coordinate and align our funding to enable the research needed to tackle this crisis and stop the outbreak, in partnership with WHO,” said Professor Yazdan Yazdanpanah, chair of GloPID-R. “Equitable access – making sure we share data and reach those most in need, in particular those in lower and middle-income countries, is fundamental to this work which must be guided by ethical considerations at all times.”
During the meeting, the more than 300 scientists and researchers participating both in person and virtually agreed on a set of global research priorities. They also outlined mechanisms for continuing scientific interactions and collaborations beyond the meeting which will be coordinated and facilitated by WHO. They worked with research funders to determine how necessary resources can be mobilized so that critical research can start immediately.
▲ Foreign firms lend helping hand ▲
Foreign firms across diverse industries have lent their support to China's fight against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak through donations and fee reductions.
Global mining giants BHP and Rio Tinto donated 10 million yuan (about 1.4 million U.S. dollars) and 1 million dollars, respectively, to the Chinese Red Cross Foundation to aid medical workers and purchase supplies, according to the companies' websites.
▲ Japan woman with coronavirus dies ▲
Japan on Thursday reported the first death of a person infected with novel coronavirus, as the number of cases on a quarantined cruise ship offshore soared over 200.
The woman in her 80s was tested for the virus after being hospitalised, and was confirmed positive after her death, Health Minister Katsunobu Kato told a news briefing.
▲ US cruise ship docks in Cambodia ▲
A US cruise ship blocked from several Asian ports over concerns that a passenger could have been infected with the new coronavirus docked at a Cambodian pier Thursday, as frustrated holidaymakers expressed hope their ordeal may soon be over.
The Westerdam was supposed to be taking its 1,455 passengers on a dream 14-day cruise around east Asia, beginning in Hong Kong on February 1 and disembarking on Saturday in Yokohama, Japan.
But the ship was turned away from Japan, Guam, the Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand over fears of the novel coronavirus epidemic that has killed more than 1,300 people in China.
Cruise operator Holland America has insisted there are no cases of the SARS-like virus on board and Cambodia announced Wednesday that the boat would be able to dock in Sihanoukville, on its southern coast.
▲ Vietnam quarantines area with 10,000 residents ▲
More than 10,000 people in villages near Vietnam's capital were placed under quarantine Thursday after six cases of the deadly new coronavirus were discovered there, authorities said.
In the first mass quarantine outside of China since the virus emerged there in late December, the Son Loi farming region about 40 kilometres (25 miles) from Hanoi will be locked down for 20 days, the health ministry said.
Checkpoints have been set up around the six villages that make up Son Loi, said an AFP team on the outskirts of the area in Binh Xuyen district.
▲ Australia extends ban ▲
Australia on Thursday announced a ban on travellers from China would extend for at least a week beyond Saturday's planned deadline, as the death toll from the coronavirus soared.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the government would maintain "entry restriction on foreign nationals who have recently been in mainland China" for further week "to protect Australians from the risk of coronavirus".
A decision to extend the ban further will be taken week-toweek, he said.
REFERENCES
WHO; AFP; Xinhua News
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PHOTO: XINHUA
Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar