WHO warns COVID-19 not over yet
(VOVWORLD) -The World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday warned again against complacency in fighting COVID-19, urging for coordinated action and political commitments to save lives and prevent economic and health damage from the ongoing pandemic.
 A person is injected with a COVID-19 vaccine in Paris, France. (Photo: AFP/VNA) |
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reiterated at a press briefing on Thursday on the sidelines of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, that COVID-19 pandemic is not over, but the end is in sight.
He cited as reasons that the pandemic is still inflicting a death toll of 10,000 per week, most of which could be prevented, while large vaccination gaps exist especially in low- and middle-income countries. He added that everyone needs to use, the simple tools that are available to stay safe: distancing, masks and ventilation. And it means everyone needs access to the medical tools to stay safe: vaccines, tests and treatments.
In its latest epidemiological update, the WHO said over 9,800 fatalities were reported last week, down 17 percent from a week earlier, while 3.2 million new cases were reported. The UN heath agency has warned that the falling number of reported cases is deceptive, since many countries have cut back on testing and may not be detecting less serious cases.