According to the world health body, five of the 11 countries in the region have reported confirmed COVID-19 cases - Thailand 43, India 28, Indonesia 2 and Sri Lanka and Nepal one each.
Top priority of countries should be to be prepared to roll out a speedy response to the first case, first cluster, and first evidence of community transmission. Early containment measures can help countries stop transmission. - Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO, South-East Asia Region
Singh said that risk of more new cases of the deadly virus is very high across the world and especially in southeast Asia Region. More cases can be expected, Singh said while stressing on identifying them early and isolating them and following their contacts to help limit person-to-person transmission.
Singh said there are three priorities for country readiness protecting health workers, engaging with communities and empowering them with timely and accurate information to enable them take protective measures, specially those at highest risk; and "doing our best to contain epidemics in the most vulnerable countries".
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Based on current data, globally 81 per cent of cases seem to have mild disease, about 14 per cent appear to progress to severe disease, and some five per cent are critical.
Outlining preparedness and response measures and capacities in the WHO South-East Asia Region, Singh said WHO is assisting countries in preparedness and response planning, in coordination with other partner organisations as per updated global guidelines.
All member countries, including India, have rolled out a series of measures to prevent the disease and protect their nationals. Nine of the 11 countries now have capacities to test for novel coronavirus. WHO is supporting countries with supplies for laboratories.
For countries unable to test, WHO is assisting in shipping of their samples to global referral laboratories, three of them in the region -- two in Thailand and one in India, she said.
Nearly 3,00,000 pieces of personal protective equipment comprising caps, goggles, surgical masks, gloves, gowns, etc., have been supplied to member countries, and nearly 2,00,000 more pieces are being procured.
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On February 28, WHO raised the risk assessment for the COVID-19 outbreak internationally from "high" to "very high" nearly a month after the novel coronavirus was declared a public health emergency of international concern WHO's highest level alarm.
In India along, 28 cases of the novel COVID-19 virus have been confirmed as off Wednesday afternoon. The Government of India has emphasised on adopting precautionary measures to combat the spread of the contagion which has infected more than 60 countries in the world.
Of the 28 positive cases, 16 are foreigners (Italians) while 12 are Indian nationals. First three cases that had surfaced in Kerala have been treated. The one case that emerged in Delhi led to further spread of the virus in six of his relatives in Agra, all of who are kept in isolation.
(With inputs from PTI)