The World Health Organization’s (WHO) head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Thursday expressed concern over the rising rates of new COVID-19 infections and deaths globally, reported CGTN Africa.
Addressing a Member State Information Session on COVID-19 on Thursday, Tedros said the number of new coronavirus cases per week has nearly doubled over the past two months. He cautioned that the caseload is approaching the highest rate of infection reported so far during the pandemic.
The WHO chief said the rapid surge in cases is being driven by a combination of rapidly-spreading variants, inconsistent use and premature easing of public health measures, increased social mixing, uneven and inequitable vaccine coverage, and fatigued populations.
“In some countries, despite continuing transmission, restaurants and nightclubs are full and markets are crowded, with few people taking precautions,” Tedros said.
The WHO head noted that the current increase in caseloads was a predictable outcome, but was totally avoidable. He acknowledged that many countries were keen to reopen and resume normal lives and that the WHO shared in this too, but warned against hastened moves that put people’s lives at risk.
Tedros called all member countries to go for a tailored, measured, agile, and evidence-based combination of measures, including surveillance, testing, contact tracing, supportive quarantine, and compassionate care. He also urged people to take personal precautions to ensure their safety and the safety of those around them.
The WHO chief’s remarks came as the number of infections has globally surpassed the 138.4 million mark with death approaching the 3 million mark.
Africa had reported 4,375,876 confirmed COVID-19 infections with 116,506 deaths by Thursday. The continent has administered more than 13.6 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines so far. More than 700 million doses of vaccines have been administered so far, with many countries looking to ramp up their inoculations.
