New Delhi: The World Health Organization (WHO) said that many countries have seen a reduction in Covid cases but the epidemic is not over. In its latest weekly bulletin, the WHO said the novel coronavirus is killing one person every 44 seconds, even as it warned people not to be complacent.Also Read – China’s earthquake-hit Sichuan province bans entry to unauthorized people, orders daily Covid tests for survivors
The UN health agency reported that there were just 4.2 million new infections last week and about 13,700 deaths — a 5 percent drop. This is very encouraging, but there is no guarantee that these trends will continue, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a press briefing. Also Read – With 43 cases of swine flu reported in Delhi this year, doctors advise caution
The most dangerous thing is to assume (that) they will, he said. He added that even though the number of deaths reported weekly has dropped by more than 80 percent since February, one person still dies of Covid-19 every 44 seconds and most of those deaths are preventable. Also Read – Stroke, brain inflammation, more: AIIMS doctor warns of major post-Covid effects
In its epidemiological report, the WHO said that COVID-19 deaths have decreased in Southeast Asia, Europe and the Middle East, but have increased in Africa, the Americas and the Western Pacific.
Maria van Kerkhove, WHO’s technical lead on Covid-19, noted that the virus has not yet settled into a seasonal pattern and its continued evolution will require constant monitoring and possible changes in diagnosis, treatment and vaccines.
WHO on monkeypox cases
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, “The number of cases of monkeypox is increasing in some countries in the Americas, and in some there is likely to be under-reporting due to stigma and discrimination or a lack of information for those who need it most.”
“Now to monkeypox, where we continue to see a downward trend in Europe. While the number of cases reported from the US has also decreased in the last week, it is difficult to draw firm conclusions about the epidemic in that region.”
“The downward trend may be the most dangerous time, if it opens the door to complacency. WHO continues to recommend that all countries continue with an appropriate combination of public health measures, testing, research and targeted vaccination, where vaccines are available,” Ghebreyesus said. said
