Official WHO Ebola death toll near 5,000 with true number nearer 15,000: http://t.co/Ly02y3MXvs pic.twitter.com/WkhNx3veGT
— Reuters Top News (@Reuters) October 22, 2014
A U.N. plan to stop the epidemic, known as 70-70-60, involves isolating at least 70 percent of cases and safely burying at least 70 percent of those who die by Dec. 1, a 60-day deadline from the start of the plan. That is supposed to rise to 100 percent by the 90-day deadline on Jan. 1.
The number of isolation beds had increased substantially to 1,126 but remained only 25 percent of the 4,388 expected to be needed in 50 Ebola treatment units. There were also firm commitments from foreign medical teams to staff only 30 units.
Without those beds in those units, families have to care for sick relatives at home and risk infection.
The WHO also estimates 28 laboratories are needed in the three worst-hit countries, with 12 now in place, and 20,000 staff will be needed to keep track of people who have had contact with Ebola patients and may be at risk.
The three worst-hit countries will also need 230 dead-body-management teams by Dec. 1, it said. They have 140.
