KATHMANDU, Jan 30: The World Health Organization South East Asia has urged countries in this region to remain vigilant and ready to detect any case of importation of new coronavirus and prevent its spread.

In a press release on Thursday, Regional Director of WHO South-East Asia Region Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh stated: "It is time to focus all efforts on readiness guided by whatever is known about the new coronavirus."

The WHO has globally prepared interim guidance on case detection, testing, clinical management of cases, infection prevention and control during health care, home care for people suspected to have virus and guidance on reducing the transmission, according to the press release.

WHO is also working with countries in the region to roll out these guidelines, prioritizing reviewing and building capacities for laboratory diagnostic, including referral of specimens and diagnosis; training in case management, specimen collection and transportation, and infection prevention and control; logistics support and communicating risks and promoting desired behavior in the community.

Two countries in the WHO South-East Asia Region – Thailand and Nepal - have reported confirmed cases of the new coronavirus.

WHO’s South-East Asia Region comprises the following 11 member states: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Timor-Leste.

 
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