WHO chief warns of "many gaps" among countries in fighting COVID-19

World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Wednesday warned of many gaps in the world's defenses against the COVID-19 outbreak.

Speaking at a virtual press conference from Geneva, the WHO chief said that among countries that have reported data to the WHO, only 66 percent of countries have a clinical referral system in place to care for COVID-19 patients.

He added that about 78 percent have a preparedness and response plan in place, 76 percent have surveillance systems in place to detect cases, and 91 percent have laboratory testing capacity for COVID-19.

However, only 48 percent have a community engagement plan, and only 48 percent have an infection prevention and control program and standards for water, sanitation and hygiene in health facilities, he added.

"WHO will continue working with countries and the international community to close these gaps and build sustainable capacities for now and the future," he said.