COVID-19 pandemic not over as nearly 1 billion people still unvaccinated: WHO
(VOVWORLD) - The World Health Organization warned on Sunday the COVID-19 pandemic is continuing, despite the decisions of many nations to lift their restrictions aimed at stopping its spread.
 World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus delivers his opening remarks at the 75th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva (Switzerland) May 22, 2022. (Photo: AFP/VNA) |
Speaking at the opening of the 75th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said reported COVID-19 cases have declined significantly from the peak of the Omicron variant wave in January.
While 60% of the world's population is vaccinated, Tedros reiterated that "it's not over anywhere until it's over everywhere".
He warned that increasing transmission rates means more deaths, especially among the unvaccinated, and more risk of a new variant emerging.
Tedros also noted that almost 1 billion people in lower-income countries remain unvaccinated.