GMA Logo
Celebrity Life

WHO: Do not refer to people with coronavirus as "COVID-19 cases"

By Patricia Isabella Romarate
Published March 18, 2020 5:06 PM PHT

Around GMA

Around GMA

Chile wildfires kill 19 amid extreme heat; scores evacuated
Lalaki patay sang gintiro sang gwardiya nga iya ginbuno sa Barotac Nuevo | One Western Visayas
Philippine flag carrier celebrates 85th anniversary with new aircraft

Article Inside Page


Showbiz News



The World Health Organization released an article on how to reduce COVID-19 stigma.

The World Health Organization (WHO) on March 12 released an article where they presented a tip on how to reduce the stigma of the pandemic Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Family walking on the street with face masks on / Photo by: Macau Photo Agency
Family walking on the street with face masks on / Photo by: Macau Photo Agency

In WHO's 'Mental Health and Psychosocial Considerations During COVID-19 Outbreak' article, it addressed the general population to defer from calling the people affected by the novel coronavirus disease as “COVID-19 cases.”

Terms like “victims”, “COVID-19 families”, or the “diseased” were also discouraged as it could present the same negative effect on the affected persons.

According to WHO, it is better to refer to them as “people who have COVID-19”, “people who are being treated for COVID19”, or “people who are recovering from COVID-19.”

WHO reminds everyone that, “after recovering from COVID-19, their life will go on with their jobs, families and loved ones.

“It is important to separate a person from having an identity defined by COVID-19, to reduce stigma.”

In the same article, the World Health Organization presented other guidelines on how to support our mental and psychosocial well-being during the COVID-19 outbreak. You may read it here.

Daughter of first Filipina COVID-19 casualty remembers late mother, clarifies death