According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the current global pandemic is the first known to emerge as the result of a novel coronavirus, identified as SARS-CoV-2, which causes the disease COVID-19. This respiratory disease is easily transmissible mainly from person to person, in droplet form, when an infected individual coughs or sneezes. It can also spread through contact with contaminated objects or surfaces. The symptoms associated with COVID-19 have ranged from very mild (including some cases with no reported symptoms) to severe or fatal.

On 6 April 2020, the Chair of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII), Anne Nuorgam, issued a statement calling on Member States to ensure that Indigenous Peoples are informed, protected and prioritized during the global COVID-19 pandemic.

In the statement, she stresses the need to make information available in Indigenous languages, protect Indigenous elders (as keepers of history, tradition, and cultures), and respect the right to self-determination of Indigenous Peoples living in voluntary isolation and initial contact.

The pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 is spreading quickly, with 738,000 cases confirmed across the globe and over 35,000 deaths registered as of 30 March 2020 (Johns Hopkins University, Center for Systems Science and Engineering). The number of cases has almost doubled in the last week (from 418,000 cases on 23 March). Many countries have restricted activity and an increasing number are on lockdown.

As the world grapples with an unparalleled health crisis, older persons have become one of its more visible victims. The pandemic spreads among persons of all ages and conditions, yet available evidence indicates that older persons and those with underlying medical conditions are at a higher risk of serious illness and death from the Covid-19 disease. Often, chronic health conditions are more prevalent in old age, increasing risks for older adults.

GENEVA (27 March 2020) – Society has a duty to exercise solidarity and better protect older persons who are bearing the lion's share of the COVID-19 pandemic, a UN human rights expert said.

"Reports of abandoned older persons in care homes or of dead corpses found in nursing homes are alarming. This is unacceptable," said Rosa Kornfeld-Matte, UN Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons. "We all have the obligation to exercise solidarity and protect older persons from such harm."

Persons with disabilities generally have more health-care needs than others – both standard needs and needs linked to impairments – and are therefore more vulnerable to the impact of low quality or inaccessible health-care services than others. Compared to persons without disabilities, persons with disabilities are more likely to have poor health: among 43 countries, 42 per cent of persons with disabilities versus 6 per cent of persons without disabilities perceive their health as poor.

The estimated incidence of Down syndrome is between 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 1,100 live births worldwide. Each year, approximately 3,000 to 5,000 children are born with this chromosome disorder.

ATTENTION: In light of the global coronavirus disease (COVID-19) situation and its implications for intergovernmental meetings held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, a decision was made to postpone the eleventh session of the Open-ended Working Group on Ageing, scheduled for 6 April 2020.

The Members of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues have decided to postpone its forthcoming 19th session, originally scheduled to take place on 13-24 April 2020, until a later date to be determined. Registration for participants is closed until further notice. All side event registrations are also closed.