Coronavirus: Information sources - First Draft
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Coronavirus: Information sources

Last updated: 18 March 2020

First Draft is maintaining a database of expert sources on coronavirus for journalists to contact for up-to-date information on the outbreak. This includes governmental departments and agencies for some of the worst affected countries, as well as regional and global health organisations.

The World Health Organisation has characterised the outbreak as being accompanied by an ‘infodemic‘, defined as “an over-abundance of information — some accurate and some not — that makes it hard for people to find trustworthy sources and reliable guidance when they need it”. Consulting the right organisations and experts is vital.

Government departments and agencies

The below government departments provide updates on number of coronavirus cases, government activities, public health advice and media contacts.

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control

  • Agency aimed at strengthening Europe’s defences against infectious diseases aiding the union’s response.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

  • Part of the US Department of Health and Human Services operating the country’s response.

National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China

  • The lead agency on China’s response to the coronavirus.

Italian Department of Health

  • Government department overseeing response.

South Korea’s Ministry of Health & Welfare

  • Government department overseeing response.

INGOs and NGOs

The below non-govermental organisations provide global and regional data and guidance on coronavirus.

Communications contacts in WHO headquarters (Geneva)

  • A list of WHO press officers at its headquarters.

Communications officers in the WHO regions

  • A list of WHO press officers in each region.

World Bank media contacts

  • A list of World Bank contacts across different regions as well as at its headquarters and on specific topics.

International Society for Infectious Diseases

  • ISID supports health professionals, non-government organisations, and governments globally to prevent, investigate, and manage infectious disease outbreaks.

Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovation

  • A global partnership between public, private, philanthropic, and civil society organisations.

American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

  • A community of researchers, clinicians and professionals aiming to advance global health.

Academic institutions

The below organisations and institutions provide research and data on coronavirus, as well as expert commentary.

Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University (JHU)

Royal College of Physicians

  • British professional body representing and accrediting thousands of doctors around the world.

London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

  • Research institution working to improve health worldwide. Resources include tracking the outbreak and evaluating the success of the Diamond Princess Cruise ship quarantine.

School of Public Health, University of Michigan 

  • Medical school carrying out research to promote public health and equality. Resources include how to quantify the intensity of pandemics.

London School of Economics – guide to reading scientific papers

  • A post from the LSE on how to non-experts can decode scientific papers.

Other sources

Coronavirus Weekly

The weekly roundup of Coronavirus analysis from The Conversation, a network of academic experts.