COVID-19 situation report for the Western Pacific Region 2021

Data from French Polynesia and Guam indicate large-scale community transmission, and there is evidence of widespread transmission in some parts of the Philippines (National Capital Region, Region III, and Region IV-A), and large-scale transmission in some parts of Japan (Tokyo) and some parts of Papua New Guinea (West New Britain and National Capital District). [...] This document provides policy-makers and stakeholders with guidance on how to maximize the public health benefit of SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequencing activities in the short and long term, as the pandemic continues to unfold. [...] Practical considerations for the implementation of a virus genomic sequencing programme and an overview of the public health objectives of genomic sequencing are covered. [...] Continued genome sequencing supports the monitoring of the disease’s spread and evolution of the virus. [...] The objective of this document is to provide guidance on IPC in LTCFs in the context of COVID-19 to prevent COVID-19-virus from entering the facility and spreading within the facility, and to support safe conditions for visiting through the rigorous application of IPC procedures for the residents’ well-being.