UN Security Council meets via video conferencing

The United Nations Security Council held its first open meeting in nearly four weeks, using video conferencing because of social distancing and travel restrictions resulting from the coronavirus pandemic, and its members expressed solidarity with Mali in tackling COVID-19.

For the first time since March 12, members of the media and the public were able to watch a video briefing by the UN envoy for Mali, Mahamat Saleh Annadif, who said the country had recorded 56 positive cases of COVID-19, including two in the UN peacekeeping force, and five deaths.

After Annadif's briefing, the public part of the meeting ended and the 15 council members - whose pictures had appeared on the screen from their remote locations - went into a private session with the UN special representative.

The Security Council statement issued afterward called on the west African nation's government and the United Nations "to continue working together to prevent the spread of the virus."

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and a cough that clear up in two to three weeks.

But the virus is highly contagious and can be spread by those with mild or no visible symptoms.

For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and could lead to death.