Public health systems are coming under severe strain as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Countries must also continue to focus on other health emergencies and make progress against diseases such as malaria or poliomyelitis (polio). A new analysis on malaria supports the call to minimize disruptions to malaria prevention and treatment services during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Some governments have suggested that the detection of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, could serve as the basis for an “immunity passport” or “risk-free certificate”, there is currently no evidence that people who have recovered from COVID-19 and have antibodies are protected from a second infection.

New online course released on the management of COVID-19 in aviation A new, interactive e-learning course titled “Operational considerations for managing COVID-19 cases/outbreak in aviation” has been developed based on the guidance document of the same name. It can be downloaded on personal computers and mobile phones and complements the COVID-19 at Points of Entry course "Management of ill travelers at points of entry in the context of the COVID-19 outbreak".