The World Health Organization (WHO) said that corona virus infection is increasing across the world, including the Paris Olympics, and is unlikely to subside soon. The United Nations (UN) health agency is also warning that more serious forms of coronavirus may emerge soon.
“Covid-19 is still among us and spreading in all countries,” WHO’s Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove said, speaking to journalists in Geneva.
He said that data from our surveillance systems in 84 countries shows that the number of positive cases for SARS-CoV-2 has been increasing for the last several weeks. Overall, test positivity is more than 10 percent, but this may vary by region. In Europe, the positivity rate is more than 20 percent.
New cases in many countries of the world
New cases of infection are being reported in America, Europe and Western Pacific areas. Wastewater surveillance suggests that the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 is two to 20 times greater than currently reported. This high prevalence of infection during the Northern Hemisphere’s summer months is unusual for a respiratory virus, which spreads mostly in cooler temperatures.
Dr. Van Kerkhove said, “In recent months, regardless of the season, many countries have seen a surge in COVID-19 cases, including the Olympics, where at least 40 athletes have tested positive. “
As the virus continues to spread, the risk of more severe strains of the virus emerging, which could potentially evade detection systems and become unresponsive to medical intervention, is increasing. Whereas the number of people admitted to Covid-19 hospitals, including ICU, is still much less than during the peak of the epidemic. WHO is requesting governments to strengthen their vaccination campaigns.
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It is necessary to get vaccinated
Dr Van Kerkhove stressed, “It is important for individuals to take measures to reduce the risk of infection and severe disease, including making sure you have had a COVID-19 vaccination in the last 12 months Have taken the dose, especially if you are in a risk group.”
WHO has admitted that the availability of vaccines has decreased significantly in the last 12-18 months.
Nasal vaccines are still in development, but they could potentially prevent infection, reducing the risk of other types of viruses, infection and severe disease.
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