The World Health Organisation (WHO) is concerned about the rising number of novel coronavirus (Covid-19) cases reported in several countries as winter approaches.
Unfortunately, some states are no longer reporting their Covid-19 data to the WHO. However, in those that continue to do so, the number of admissions to hospitals, and particularly intensive care units, has increased, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Wednesday in Geneva.
The WHO head is concerned about the particularly low vaccination rates among high-risk groups in Europe and America.
“The Covid-19 crisis may not be as acute as it was two years ago, but that doesn’t mean we should ignore the disease,” he said.
According to the latest scientific studies, current strains are not leading to more severe cases than previous variants, notes Coronavirus specialist Maria Van Kerkhove.
Ms. Van Kerkhove is calling on governments to continue screening so that the spread of the variants can be monitored.
She stressed that the known protective measures against Covid-19 are still effective and should be maintained.
Specifically, these include ventilating rooms in homes, disinfecting hands, wearing masks when in contact with crowds in enclosed areas and obtaining the vaccine, she noted.
