Our COVID-19 response focuses on three main priorities:
• supporting authorities to provide care for COVID-19 patients;
• protecting people who are vulnerable and at risk, including via vaccination;
• and keeping essential medical services running.
Across our projects, MSF teams have implemented infection prevention and control measures to protect patients and staff. Having access to protective equipment, to COVID-19 tests, to oxygen and to drugs for supportive care or treatment, is essential as COVID-19 spreads in countries with little access to these tools.
Teams are also vaccinating people to protect against COVID-19 in multiple countries. We’re also speaking out on the need for equitable access to COVID-19 tools, including vaccines and treatments.
Scroll down to read the latest news and articles from our COVID projects.
Key concerns during COVID-19
![](/themes/custom/msf_theme/src/kss/components/image/assets/bg-transparent.png)
![MSF starts COVID-19 coronavirus activities in France MSF starts COVID-19 coronavirus activities in France](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/3hlj4ue5be6vc47q7ysds0rp12t47q34.jpg)
We’re concerned how people living in precarious environments will be affected by the pandemic. People living in overcrowded conditions, on the streets, in makeshift camps or substandard housing are at particular risk of COVID-19. Many are already in poor health and excluded from the formal healthcare system. We know social or physical distancing will be infinitely more difficult or impossible for these groups of people. We have to find other ways to help people keep themselves protected such as mass distributions of soap, water, and, in carefully considered circumstances, reusable cloth masks.
![](/themes/custom/msf_theme/src/kss/components/image/assets/bg-transparent.png)
![preparing fro COVID-19 in Nduta refugee camp preparing fro COVID-19 in Nduta refugee camp](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/t2b77sp6t645naopg8lf152k1s633h04.jpg)
During the pandemic, babies will still be born, people will still need treatment for diseases like HIV and TB. Maintaining access to healthcare for non-COVID-19 needs is essential, including in MSF regular projects. In our projects all over the world, our teams are ensuring infection prevention and control measures are in place, setting up screening at triage zones, creating isolation areas, and providing health education to local staff and people
![](/themes/custom/msf_theme/src/kss/components/image/assets/bg-transparent.png)
![MSF intervention in Lodi MSF intervention in Lodi](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/0kd4w0fbb7end5ye1dgbrlh861tg3ujx.jpg)
Protecting healthcare workers from contracting the virus is paramount for ensuring the continuity of care for general and COVID-related health needs. However, the global shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) pose a great threat. Healthcare workers must have access to the equipment they need to do their jobs safely and effectively; countries should show solidarity and share protective equipment wherever possible.
![](/themes/custom/msf_theme/src/kss/components/image/assets/bg-transparent.png)
![COVID-19 MSF Mobile Team in retirement home "Résidence Magnolia" in Jette, Brussels. COVID-19 MSF Mobile Team in retirement home "Résidence Magnolia" in Jette, Brussels.](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/hfg6652ir8nu87j8388g1h4ng03ibu55.jpg)
We also must protect those most at risk of severe forms of the illness. With COVID-19, that largely means the elderly, so much of our COVID-19 response focuses on strengthening the infection control measures and protection of the elderly in nursing homes. It also concerns those who have another illness, such as diabetes, HIV or tuberculosis. We don’t yet know what the impact will be for children who suffer from severe malnutrition, or for communities that have been hit hard by measles epidemics, such as in DRC or Chad.
![](/themes/custom/msf_theme/src/kss/components/image/assets/bg-transparent.png)
![MSF protest against sofosbuvir patent in Munich MSF protest against sofosbuvir patent in Munich](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/a7re16vl75khvhd2i0r37176m1248sg0.jpg)
There should be no profiteering on emerging drugs, tests, vaccines and other tools used for this pandemic. Governments must take any necessary measures – including overriding patents and other monopolies, and introducing price controls – to ensure production, supply, and availability of essential tools at an affordable price for all. High prices and monopolies of tools will only result in rationing, which will then prolong the pandemic. In addition, prices of other essential supplies such as masks, and other PPE must be kept accessible. Once approved or available, tools must be prioritised for healthcare and frontline workers first, and then supplied based on equity and need.
Featured
![Caring for patients in Tefé Caring for patients in Tefé](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/e10dw7dal841b627bpx4w46g581vu8bk.jpg)
Responding to COVID-19: Global Accountability Report 4 - January to April 2021
![Woman treated for COVID-19 Venezuela](/sites/default/files/styles/card_half/public/images/MSB28593%28High%29_blur.jpg?itok=mMG5mGAi)
Responding to COVID-19: Global Accountability Report 3 - September to December 2020
![Covid-19 in Amazon region Covid-19 in Amazon region](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/w16u6kwloy7728n2126318443778ncs6.jpg)
Responding to COVID-19: Global Accountability Report 2 – June to August 2020
![Supplying oxygen to COVID-19 patients: Essential, and a huge challenge (EN) Supplying oxygen to COVID-19 patients: Essential, and a huge challenge (EN)](https://img.msf.org/Docs/MSF/Media/TR1/6/1/a/d/MSF323975.jpg)
Supplying oxygen to COVID-19 patients: Essential, and a huge challenge
How do we supply oxygen to COVID-19 patients?
We cannot treat a person seriously ill with COVID-19 without oxygen. 80 per cent of people hospitalised because of COVID-19 need between three and 15 litres of oxygen per minute. For the 20 per cent who remain, the needs are more severe: more than 20 litres per minute.
Oxygen is therefore vital for them: without it they risk dying. But how do we give oxygen to our patients? What are the constraints of these various methods? And how do we put these systems in place in the countries where we work, particularly in a conflict context like Yemen?
![Pakistan: Meeting regular health needs amid the COVID-19 pandemic Pakistan: Meeting regular health needs amid the COVID-19 pandemic](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/a1tx16100b6v68qc8415725gvpk71yr4.jpg)
Meeting regular health needs amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan
![Yasin, 9 year-old boy in Moria Yasin, 9 year-old boy in Moria](https://img.msf.org/Docs/MSF/Media/CMS3/3/d/9/8/MSF326807.jpg)
Greek police enforce unwarranted and cruel quarantine of Moria camp on Lesbos
![Al Hol Camp - Eastern Al Hasakah Governorate Al Hol Camp - Eastern Al Hasakah Governorate](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/7yu33rv13ic7y1r27c163nk15b2f66fs.jpg)
“In Al-Hol camp, almost no healthcare is available”
![Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh three years after their exodus Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh three years after their exodus](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/2kfn1r4ink2rsg85624x36c15uwxwwj0.jpg)
Rohingya refugees remain in limbo three years after mass exodus
![MSF intervention in care homes MSF intervention in care homes](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/ld87um1n54l73d1y148i76my5mk1770p.jpg)
MSF calls for urgent measures in care homes to prevent more deaths from COVID-19
![India: On the frontline against COVID-19 India: On the frontline against COVID-19](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/t0qmu7dw5613kw1ah58763i6427k64b6.jpg)
Responding to COVID-19: Global Accountability Report - March to May 2020
![MSF activities in Sinjar District MSF activities in Sinjar District](https://img.msf.org/Docs/MSF/Media/CMS3/2/0/2/a/MSF284480.jpg)
Yazidi community suffers one crisis after another
![Khayelitsha Field Hospital Activity Khayelitsha Field Hospital Activity](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/ilpg1g4e803rv5x08jrs0qg4070lduen.jpg)
Western Cape begins to breathe after COVID-19 peak
![MSF COVID-19 response in Mosul MSF COVID-19 response in Mosul](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/8iq2u23yhrn8j30d36b0d5d4bdf6r407.jpg)
Mosul: MSF works on dual front of COVID-19 and lifesaving medical care
![Covid-19 in Amazon region Covid-19 in Amazon region](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/02gk0132d142k3kqo0ri3mnhvny7x21r.jpg)
Chasing COVID-19 in the Brazilian Amazon
![Lesbos MSF forced to close Covid 19 facility Lesbos MSF forced to close Covid 19 facility](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/65hoo744n0hhth0u4j8dgday4w38dupk.jpg)
MSF forced to close COVID-19 centre on Lesbos
![MSF Hospital in Bangassou, CAR MSF Hospital in Bangassou, CAR](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/3o6e0cb5hthy871g637m863gf8pt60by.jpg)