“…These actions generally follow the recommendations issued by WHO, which aims are to: (i) interrupt human-to-human transmission including reducing secondary infections, preventing transmission amplification events, and preventing further international spread; (ii) identify, isolate, and care for patients early; identify and reduce transmission from the animal source; (iii) address crucial unknowns regarding clinical severity, diagnosis, magnitude of transmission and infection, treatment options; (iv) communicate critical risk and accurate information to all communities; (v) minimize the burden of the conditions related to the pandemic through multisectoral partnership. 6,7 A combination of public health measures is crucial to prevent further spread at the international level, such as rapid identification, diagnosis and management of cases, identification and follow up of the contacts, infection prevention and control in health care settings, implementation of health measures for travellers, awareness raising in the population and risk communication. Diagnostic testing for COVID-19 is critical to track the SARS-CoV-2, inform case management, understand its epidemiology and trends, and suppress transmission.…”