Can You Catch COVID-19 From Packages?

Distribution of products and packages must go on despite ongoing disruption and fear caused by COVID-19. But it may come as a relief to hear the World Health Organization’s statement concerning the safety of receiving packages from locations where COVID-19 has been reported.

According to the WHO website, “The likelihood of an infected person contaminating commercial goods is low and the risk of catching the virus that causes COVID-19 from a package that has been moved, travelled, and exposed to different conditions and temperature is also low.”

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) affirms that COVID-19 is mainly spread from person to person.

CDC also states: “It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes. This is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads, but we are still learning more about this virus.”

CDC recommends people practice frequent “hand hygiene,” which is either washing hands with soap or water or using an alcohol-based hand rub. CDC also recommends routine cleaning of frequently touched surfaces.

Medical Supply Chain Is a Worldwide Priority

During a press conference on April 10, WHO Director General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that a new United Nations Supply Chain Task Force will “coordinate and scale up the procurement and distribution of personal protective equipment, lab diagnostics and oxygen to the countries that need it most.

“This initiative will be coordinated by WHO and the World Food Program, building on existing collaboration between multiple partners from within and outside the UN.

“This system will consist of hubs in Belgium, China, Ethiopia, Ghana, Malaysia, Panama, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates.

“We estimate this supply chain may need to cover more than 30% of the world’s needs in the acute phase of the pandemic.

“Every month, we will need to ship at least 100 million medical masks and gloves; up to 25 million N95 respirators, gowns and face-shields; up to 2.5 million diagnostic tests; and large quantities of oxygen concentrators and other equipment for clinical care.

“To move these supplies around the world, the World Food Programme will deploy eight 747 aircraft, eight medium-sized cargo aircraft, and several smaller passenger planes to move humanitarian workers, technical staff, trainers and other personnel.”