In the Pacific, countries are scaling up efforts to ensure that they are ready and equipped to rapidly detect and respond to the threat of novel coronavirus, newly named COVID-19.
As of 21 February 2020, no confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported in any Pacific Island country or area. However with the virus spreading globally all efforts are being made to ensure that countries are prepared and ready to respond, in the instance a case is detected.
WHO DPS preparing shipments of personal protective equipment such as gloves, surgical masks, gowns. They will be distributed across the Pacific to Ministries of Health.