Latest World Health Organization News

A man wearing face masks to protect against coronavirus, runs past a mural on the street in downtown Johannesburg, South Africa, Thursday, April 9, 2020. South Africa and more than half of Africa's 54 countries have imposed lockdowns, curfews, travel bans or other restrictions to try to contain the spread of COVID-19. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Africa must not be 'neglected' in virus fight, officials say

Apr. 9, 2020 3:03 PM EDT

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — African officials objected Thursday to the global jostling to obtain medical equipment to combat the coronavirus, warning that if COVID-19 is left to spread on the continent the world will remain at risk. “We cannot be neglected in this effort,” the head of the Africa...

FILE - In this Feb. 24, 2020, file photo, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO), addresses a press conference about the update on COVID-19 at the World Health Organization headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. Taiwan's foreign ministry on Thursday, April 8, 2020 strongly protested accusations from the head of the World Health Organization that it condoned racist personal attacks on him that he alleged were coming from the self-governing island democracy. (Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP, File)

Taiwan protests WHO leader's accusations of racist campaign

Apr. 9, 2020 10:07 AM EDT

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Taiwan's foreign ministry on Thursday strongly protested accusations from the head of the World Health Organization that the self-governing island was linked to and condoned racist personal attacks on him. A ministry statement expressed “strong dissatisfaction and a high...

Commuters wear masks at a station in Fukuoka, southern Japan Wednesday morning, April 8, 2020. Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe declared a month-long state of emergency Tuesday for Tokyo and six other prefectures including Fukuoka to ramp up defenses against the spread of the coronavirus as the number of infections surges. (Kyodo News via AP)

The Latest: South Korea expects positive economic growth

Apr. 9, 2020 12:43 AM EDT

The Latest on the coronavirus pandemic. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death. TOP OF THE HOUR — South Korea’s top central banker expects slow, but...

A man wears a protective mask while waiting for a bus in Detroit, Wednesday, April 8, 2020. Detroit buses will have surgical masks available to riders starting Wednesday, a new precaution the city is taking from the new coronavirus COVID-19. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Countries start thinking about easing up on restrictions

Apr. 8, 2020 9:20 PM EDT

NEW YORK (AP) — Even as coronavirus deaths mount across Europe and New York, the U.S. and other countries are starting to contemplate an exit strategy and thinking about a staggered and carefully calibrated easing of restrictions designed to curb the scourge. “To end the confinement, we’re...

FILE - In this Monday, March 9, 2020 file photo, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organization speaks during a news conference on updates regarding on the novel coronavirus COVID-19, at the WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. After the new coronavirus erupted in China, the World Health Organization sprang into action: It declared an international health emergency, rushed a team to the epicenter in Wuhan and urged other countries to get ready and drum up funding for the response. Many analysts have praised the initial response by the world’s go-to agency on health matters. But now, governments have started to brush aside, ignore and criticize WHO recommendations on issues of public policy, like whether cross-border travel should be restricted or whether the public should wear masks. (Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP, file)

UN health agency on defensive after Trump slams it on virus

Apr. 8, 2020 6:26 PM EDT

GENEVA (AP) — In a heartfelt plea for unity, the World Health Organization's chief sought Wednesday to rise above sharp criticism and threats of funding cuts from U.S. President Donald Trump over the agency’s response to the coronavirus outbreak. The vocal defense from the WHO director-general came...

Lighter than normal traffic flow in and out downtown Atlanta Monday, April 6, 2020. Gov. Brian Kemp has issued an order to shelter in place in hopes of slowing the spread of the coronavirus. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

The Latest: Japan's Abe: Stay home, obey state of emergency

Apr. 8, 2020 12:42 AM EDT

The Latest on the coronavirus pandemic. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death. TOP OF THE HOUR: — Japan PM Abe urges cooperation with state of emergency in...

Passengers wearing protective suits to protect against the spread of new coronavirus gather outside of Hankou train station ahead of the resumption of train services in Wuhan in central China's Hubei Province, Wednesday, April 8, 2020. After 11 weeks of lockdown, the first train departed Wednesday morning from a re-opened Wuhan, the origin point for the coronavirus pandemic, as residents once again were allowed to travel in and out of the sprawling central Chinese city. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

NYC virus deaths exceed 4,000, topping toll for 9/11 attacks

Apr. 7, 2020 10:45 PM EDT

NEW YORK (AP) — New York City’s death toll from the coronavirus rose past 4,000 on Tuesday, eclipsing the number killed at the World Trade Center on 9/11. In Britain, Prime Minister Boris Johnson lay in intensive care, believed to be the first major world leader hospitalized with the virus. The twin...

President Donald Trump speaks about the coronavirus in the James Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House, Tuesday, April 7, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Trump blasts world health group, defends early virus steps

Apr. 7, 2020 7:53 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Tuesday threatened to freeze U.S. funding to the World Health Organization, saying the international group had “missed the call” on the coronavirus pandemic. Trump also played down the release of January memos from a senior adviser that represented...

Trump says he will 'put a hold' on US funding to World Health Organization, says 'they missed the call' on pandemic

Apr. 7, 2020 6:04 PM EDT
WASHINGTON (AP) — Trump says he will 'put a hold' on US funding to World Health Organization, says 'they missed the call' on pandemic.
People wearing face masks walk at a downtown street in Hong Kong Monday, April 6, 2020. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

The Latest: Hong Kong to remain closed to foreigners

Apr. 7, 2020 12:42 AM EDT

The Latest on the coronavirus pandemic. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death. TOP OF THE HOUR: — Hong Kong to remain closed to foreigners indefinitely...

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