Commonwealth develops tracker to help countries monitor coronavirus

The Commonwealth has developed a coronavirus tracker that shows daily cases in member countries.

The tracker collects data from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and shows the total confirmed coronavirus cases and deaths in the affected member countries. The tool is designed to help countries prepare and respond to the pandemic.

The virus has infected more than 218,000 people and killed 14,800 in over 100 countries.

Assistant secretary-general, Nabeel Goheer, said: “Coronavirus has rapidly spread across the world affecting people, livelihoods and nations.

“The Commonwealth, as an organisation that believes in innovation, has prepared this tracker that offers real-time and accurate insight for governments to make informed decisions on this worsening crisis.”

As of March 23, the online tracker showed 12,707 Commonwealth citizens had been infected and 340 had died in some member countries.

A Commonwealth analysis suggests access to hospital beds and ventilators are limited in many countries, which could present a major challenge if coronavirus is not contained early enough.

Kathleen Mccourt, president of the Commonwealth Nurses and Midwives Federation, said: “Commonwealth nurses and midwives are at the forefront of the global Covid-19 response.

“They are reporting inadequate access to personal protective equipment, being asked to work in unfamiliar environments and inconsistent or absent access to testing for healthcare workers

“We are encouraging national organisations to contribute data to the Commonwealth coronavirus tracker. This data will better prepare and equip healthcare workers to tackle this global emergency.”