WHO Regional Office for Europe COVID-19 Operational Update. A year in review: 2020 (2021)

The 24 of January 2021 marked one year since the first cases of COVID-19 were reported to the WHO Regional Office for Europe. The Regional Incident Management Support Team (IMST), WHO’s COVID-19 response mechanism which was activated the day before the first case was reported in Europe, rapidly mobilized to help support countries prepare and get ready for potential coronavirus cases. Over the course of the year, the pandemic has rapidly evolved across the Region. This Operational Update provides an overview of the IMST’s response efforts throughout that time, as WHO worked hand in hand with national authorities, operational partners, and frontline health workers to saves lives and stop transmission.