The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the development of national response systems and surveillance capacity. As COVID-19 transitions from an acute emergency to an endemic infectious disease, response strategies are increasingly focused on strengthening preparedness for a broad range of infectious threats. In this context, genomic surveillance has become a critical component of early warning systems, enabling timely detection of emerging pathogens, monitoring of variants, and evidence-based public health response.

The Database section provides access to official guidelines, data management and statistical tools, and surveillance platforms that support the implementation of genomic surveillance in public health practice. It serves as a reference space for authoritative resources used in infectious disease preparedness, monitoring, and response.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the WHO’s essential role is to collect data, evaluate it, and advise countries on how to respond. Some countries experienced difficulty balancing the demands of responding to COVID-19 with maintaining the delivery of other health services. To help these countries, the WHO’s guidance includes a list of actions that countries should consider for maintaining access to high-quality essential health services for all. Since January 2020, more than 100 documents for COVID-19 were published and reviewed by WHO teams and experts from around the world. About half of these documents are technical guidance, such as how to find and test cases, how to provide safe and appropriate care for people depending on the severity of their illness, how to trace and quarantine contacts, how to prevent transmission, how to protect health care workers, and how to help communities to respond appropriately. It suggests that a country’s health decision makers can adapt the guidance for their country context (WHO Country and Technical Guidance, 2020).

ADB supports projects in developing member countries that create economic and development impact, delivered through both public and private sector operations, advisory services, and knowledge support. Strategy 2030 sets the course for ADB's efforts to respond effectively to Asia and the Pacific's changing needs.

source: https://www.adb.org/what-we-do/covid19-coronavirus