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1/ Reflecting on 2020, I’m so thankful for scientific collaboration around the 
working to end this pandemic
Pls read on to see an example of an extraordinaryinternational expert network @WHO established for #COVID19
As @DrTedros has said: #Science #Solutions #Solidarity
working to end this pandemicPls read on to see an example of an extraordinaryinternational expert network @WHO established for #COVID19
As @DrTedros has said: #Science #Solutions #Solidarity
2/ In early Jan 2020, one of the international expert networks @WHO quickly established for the novel coronavirus was on laboratory and virology
This network has been critical throughout this pandemic
This network has been critical throughout this pandemic
3/The @WHO #SARSCoV intl lab network works to support guidance & assay development, assure rapid access to reliable diagnostics & 
diagnostic capacity
Testing is critical
& must be strategic so that public health actions can be conducted to limit spread & save lives https://twitter.com/who/status/1342870953928351746
diagnostic capacityTesting is critical
& must be strategic so that public health actions can be conducted to limit spread & save lives https://twitter.com/who/status/1342870953928351746
4/The #SARSCoV2 lab network includes scientists from around the who have collaborated with @WHO (for years) for #MERS-CoV, flu... & the network has grown throughout 2020
This network is interconnected with the @WHO @rd_blueprint for #COVID19 https://www.who.int/teams/blueprint/covid-19
who have collaborated with @WHO (for years) for #MERS-CoV, flu... & the network has grown throughout 2020This network is interconnected with the @WHO @rd_blueprint for #COVID19 https://www.who.int/teams/blueprint/covid-19
5/On 10-11 Jan, WHO published the first #SARSCoV2 lab testing guidance, on 13th scientists from the network ( #CharitéVirology, Erasmus Medical Center, @PHE_UK @HKU_Med,& more) collaborated to publish the first PCR assay
By end of Jan @WHO was shipping PCR test kits around the
By end of Jan @WHO was shipping PCR test kits around the
6/ This enabled the world to detect #COVID19
A few days after @DrTedros declared a #PHEIC, @WHO published the first global preparedness & response strategic plan in which lab & diagnostics were outlined as critical elements to controlling #COVID19
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/strategic-preparedness-and-response-plan-for-the-new-coronavirus
A few days after @DrTedros declared a #PHEIC, @WHO published the first global preparedness & response strategic plan in which lab & diagnostics were outlined as critical elements to controlling #COVID19
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/strategic-preparedness-and-response-plan-for-the-new-coronavirus
7/ Since Jan, @WHO #SARSCoV2 lab network has provided technical support for lab testing, full genome sequencing, & for serological testing as serological assays were developed
8/ WHO has leveraged the incredible #GISRS laboratory network for #influenza to increase #SARSCoV2 testing
https://www.who.int/influenza/gisrs_laboratory/en/
https://www.who.int/influenza/gisrs_laboratory/en/
9/ Since Jan, #SARSCoV2 genetic sequences have been shared with platforms like @GISAID & others, & phylogenetic analyses have been conducted in real time (eg @trvrb, @arambaut, @firefox66, @erikmvolz)
To date, ~300k full genome sequences are available
https://www.gisaid.org
To date, ~300k full genome sequences are available
https://www.gisaid.org
10/ Since Jan, @WHO & partners have been tracking #SARSCoV2 mutations. All viruses mutate (change) and most changes have little to no impact on the virus’ properties. https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/sars-cov-2-evolution
11/Sequencing has helped to identify several notable virus variants, incl:
D614G mutation first identified in late Jan/early Feb replacing previously circulating SARSCoV2 viruses by June
“Cluster 5” variant in 
Variant Of Concern 202012/01 in 
N501Y.V2 in 
D614G mutation first identified in late Jan/early Feb replacing previously circulating SARSCoV2 viruses by June“Cluster 5” variant in Variant Of Concern 202012/01 in N501Y.V2 in
12/ and there will be more mutations detected...
... the longer #SARSCoV2 circulates, the more opportunities it has to mutate.
This is dangerous, as I told @kakape recently: https://twitter.com/mvankerkhove/status/1342074024415948801
... the longer #SARSCoV2 circulates, the more opportunities it has to mutate.
This is dangerous, as I told @kakape recently: https://twitter.com/mvankerkhove/status/1342074024415948801
13/ While the #SARSCoV2 lab network has always been tracking mutations, we formalized our work on virus evolution into the @WHO Virus Evolution Working Group in June
14/ The @WHO Virus Evolution Working Group includes experts in sequencing, bioinformatics, in vitro studies , & in vivo studies
& this working group collaborates with @FAOAnimalHealth and @OIEAnimalHealth and other partners and researchers around the
& this working group collaborates with @FAOAnimalHealth and @OIEAnimalHealth and other partners and researchers around the
15/ The @WHO Virus Evolution Working Group works to
16/Studies to evaluate new mutations take time, esp lab studies, & we need patience for scientists to do this work
Right now, governments, leaders, & all of us can use the tools we have that limit the spread of #SARSCoV2, incl the new virus variants recently identified. https://twitter.com/mrigankshail/status/1331313329516781570
Right now, governments, leaders, & all of us can use the tools we have that limit the spread of #SARSCoV2, incl the new virus variants recently identified. https://twitter.com/mrigankshail/status/1331313329516781570
17/While we work to better understand #SARSCoV2 variants, we should be guided by the local epidemiology and capacities to respond.
The public health and social measures & comprehensive response actions outlined by @WHO work to limit spread & save lives:
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/critical-preparedness-readiness-and-response-actions-for-covid-19
The public health and social measures & comprehensive response actions outlined by @WHO work to limit spread & save lives:
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/critical-preparedness-readiness-and-response-actions-for-covid-19
18/ Current #COVID19 epidemiology from @WHO can be found here:
https://worldhealthorg.shinyapps.io/covid/
https://worldhealthorg.shinyapps.io/covid/
19/ As individuals, we can strengthen our collective response by adhering to the recommendations suggested where we live & work together to limit the spread, reduce burden on health systems & save lives now
We are #InThisTogether https://twitter.com/who/status/1341358838038016001
We are #InThisTogether https://twitter.com/who/status/1341358838038016001
20/ All countries can strengthen public health systems to detect & care for cases, trace & support contacts in quarantine, protect & train health workers
This includes increasing rapid testing & sequencing capacities
This includes increasing rapid testing & sequencing capacities
21/ Vaccination is starting in some parts of the world and this is an incredibly hopeful time.
It is remarkable that there are several safe and effective vaccines for #COVID19 coming online. https://twitter.com/who/status/1341808376175616002
It is remarkable that there are several safe and effective vaccines for #COVID19 coming online. https://twitter.com/who/status/1341808376175616002
22/ But we must be honest that it will be difficult and take time to get #COVID19 vaccines to everyone in need.
We will be frustrated that it is not fast enough, but @WHO and partners are working hard to ensure for fair allocation of #COVID19 vaccines https://twitter.com/who/status/1339965611376582659
We will be frustrated that it is not fast enough, but @WHO and partners are working hard to ensure for fair allocation of #COVID19 vaccines https://twitter.com/who/status/1339965611376582659
23/ In the meantime, each of us must play our part, put in the work, follow the guidance and do what we can to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe https://twitter.com/who/status/1283525254858579970
24/ Do it for yourself, do if for your favorite person/people in the whole world. https://twitter.com/mvankerkhove/status/1339569435514945536
25/ I know we are all tired, but we must work even harder to end this pandemic.
The fastest way to end the pandemic is to control #COVID19 everywhere, while vaccines are rolled out.
We can do this, together.
@WHO
END
The fastest way to end the pandemic is to control #COVID19 everywhere, while vaccines are rolled out.
We can do this, together.
@WHO
END
If I could tag each and every member of the @WHO international lab network I would
Thank you to each & every one of you, to your staff, to your families for putting up with incredibly long hours.
For your professionalism, for your friendship.
We are truly #InThisTogether
Thank you to each & every one of you, to your staff, to your families for putting up with incredibly long hours.
For your professionalism, for your friendship.
We are truly #InThisTogether
