World Health Organization
The outlook for China’s zero-Covid strategy

The outlook for China’s zero-Covid strategy
WHO chief slams Beijing’s plan to eliminate virus as experts warn of 1.5m deaths
11 May 2022
The true story of Germany’s Covid-19 response

The true story of Germany’s Covid-19 response
Once lauded for its rapid response, Berlin’s excess death rate is now higher than many of its neighbours
10 May 2022
Does the WHO’s excess deaths data vindicate the UK?

Does the WHO’s excess deaths data vindicate the UK?
New statistics suggest national death toll is similar to other European countries
6 May 2022
Cloth vs. FFP2: which face masks protects best against Covid-19?

Cloth vs. FFP2: which face masks protects best against Covid-19?
Some experts want respirator masks like those mandated in Germany to become the standard in UK
6 Jan 2022
How Omicron and other variants were named

How Omicron and other variants were named
Labels for ‘variants of concern’ are based on the Greek alphabet
1 Dec 2021
Why Europe is bracing for 500,000 more Covid deaths this winter

Why Europe is bracing for 500,000 more Covid deaths this winter
WHO boss calls for urgent action as Germany announces record infections and Romania runs out of coffins
5 Nov 2021
Will China hobble WHO’s ‘last-chance’ bid to trace Covid origins?

Will China hobble WHO’s ‘last-chance’ bid to trace Covid origins?
Group of 26 global experts tasked with reviving stalled inquiry
15 Oct 2021

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What the world’s first malaria vaccine means for Africa

What the world’s first malaria vaccine means for Africa
World Health Organization hails breakthrough in battle against tropical disease
7 Oct 2021
What is the rare Monkey B virus that killed vet in China?

What is the rare Monkey B virus that killed vet in China?
Infection linked to macaques is often deadly when spread to humans
20 Jul 2021
Is it safe to ditch face masks after ‘Freedom Day’?

Is it safe to ditch face masks after ‘Freedom Day’?
Ministers keen to drop all coronavirus restrictions despite warnings from health experts
25 Jun 2021
Why the WHO is warning of an ‘autumn Covid surge’

Why the WHO is warning of an ‘autumn Covid surge’
UN agency warns vaccination coverage ‘far from sufficient’ to protect region from Delta variant
11 Jun 2021
‘Wuhan lab leak’: conspiracy theory to presidential priority

‘Wuhan lab leak’: conspiracy theory to presidential priority
Anthony Fauci calls on China to release medical records of possible coronavirus victims
4 Jun 2021
How to avert a future pandemic

How to avert a future pandemic
Preventative measures should include enhanced surveillance, reporting and intergovernmental cooperation
12 May 2021
The countries that got Covid right - and those that got it wrong

The countries that got Covid right - and those that got it wrong
An expert in political communication on the diverging responses to the coronavirus pandemic
12 Mar 2021
European countries split over use of medical-grade face masks

European countries split over use of medical-grade face masks
Germany and Austria mandate use of expensive FFP2 masks while WHO backs fabric coverings
15 Feb 2021
Independent panel slams China and WHO over Covid-19 response

Independent panel slams China and WHO over Covid-19 response
Long-awaited report says Beijing and the UN health agency acted too slowly to stop the spread
19 Jan 2021
Four things we learned from the leaked Wuhan Covid-19 files

Four things we learned from the leaked Wuhan Covid-19 files
Documents reveal Chinese officials lied about new infections and deaths as outbreak spread
2 Dec 2020
WHO enlists team of top scientists to trace Covid-19 origins

WHO enlists team of top scientists to trace Covid-19 origins
Ten experts including England’s former deputy chief medical officer will travel to Wuhan ‘as soon as possible’
27 Nov 2020
WHO warning of a third Covid-19 wave in Europe next year

WHO warning of a third Covid-19 wave in Europe next year
UN health agency’s pandemic envoy cautions against lifting lockdown restrictions too early
23 Nov 2020
Quiz of The Week: 3 - 9 October

Quiz of The Week: 3 - 9 October
Have you been paying attention to The Week’s news?
9 Oct 2020
WHO aid workers offered ‘jobs for sex’ during Ebola outbreak

WHO aid workers offered ‘jobs for sex’ during Ebola outbreak
More than 50 women allege abuse by men who said they were international aid providers
30 Sep 2020
Why the WHO is warning that Covid-19 won’t end with vaccine

Why the WHO is warning that Covid-19 won’t end with vaccine
Top official says localised lockdown measures are key to tackling Covid
2 Sep 2020
Coronavirus: Russia set for mass vaccination campaign

Coronavirus: Russia set for mass vaccination campaign
Moscow says mass production of the drug will begin next month following completion of clinical trials
5 Aug 2020
Coronavirus: why Johnson fears UK second spike in two weeks

Coronavirus: why Johnson fears UK second spike in two weeks
PM makes grim prediction as infections rise across Europe
29 Jul 2020
Debate: did the WHO go easy on China over coronavirus?

Debate: did the WHO go easy on China over coronavirus?
The UN agency has been accused of putting politics above public health
22 Jul 2020
Remdesivir: US buys world stock of key coronavirus drug

Remdesivir: US buys world stock of key coronavirus drug
Trump administration goes on shopping spree leaving ‘nothing for Europe’
1 Jul 2020
How coronavirus has devastated war-torn Yemen

How coronavirus has devastated war-torn Yemen
Doctors, diplomats and aid workers all predicted Covid-19 would hit Yemen hard – but the reality has been even worse
19 Jun 2020
Coronavirus: UK records more daily deaths than entire EU27

Coronavirus: UK records more daily deaths than entire EU27
‘Astonishing’ latest figures come as UK eases lockdown
4 Jun 2020
How coronavirus has bolstered Taiwan’s independence movement

How coronavirus has bolstered Taiwan’s independence movement
Taipei’s swift response to pandemic has saved lives - and boosted support to challenge China
22 May 2020
World responds as global coronavirus cases pass 5 million

World responds as global coronavirus cases pass 5 million
Latin America emerging as new front line in the battle to control outbreak
21 May 2020
Reaction: WHO warns that Covid-19 ‘may never go away’

Reaction: WHO warns that Covid-19 ‘may never go away’
UN health agency’s emergencies director says coronavirus could become endemic like HIV
14 May 2020
Coronavirus: what has WHO done wrong?

Coronavirus: what has WHO done wrong?
Trump pulls funding for agency over accusations of ‘cover-ups and failures’
16 Apr 2020
The politics of naming Covid-19

The politics of naming Covid-19
Trump has labelled it the ‘Chinese virus’ but why does it matter what we call it?
15 Apr 2020
The unexpected consequences of the coronavirus crisis

The unexpected consequences of the coronavirus crisis
From environmental recovery to gangland truces
9 Apr 2020