Coming together in the Region to tackle COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose multiple health challenges in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Morbidity and mortality from the disease remain a serious cause for concern. As of 31 August 2020, a total of 1 924 511 laboratory-confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 virus infection had been reported in the Region, including 51 019 deaths. Moreover, there are worrying signs that cases are now rising again in some countries after a period of decline and the indirect impact of the pandemic on health care is arguably even more troubling. Access to essential health services is being compromised as scarce resources are diverted to fight the pandemic, social restriction measures such as lockdowns disrupt service provision, while fear and rumor deter people from approaching health facilities. Initial studies indicate that services such as immunization, elective surgery and chronic disease management have been severely affected. The long-term consequences threaten to be grave indeed.