Infectious Disease Epidemiologist, COVID-19 Technical Lead, Emerging Diseases and Zoonoses Lead of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, Maria Van Kerkhove, stated that the COVID-19-related death toll is still high despite of the containing tools to control it.
Speaking on the current update of the COVID-19 virus, she stated, “We are playing fire with this virus. I understand that the world wants to be done with the COVID19 pandemic, but such intense circulation will lead to more variants. Even with current variants, deaths are far too high and totally unacceptable when we have the tools to control them”.
She then affirmed the support of the World Health Organisation (WHO) to the countries in their battles against the deadliest mutant.
“WHO will continue to support all countries to end the COVID19 emergency in ALL countries; to strengthen systems for COVID and other respiratory viruses, and to strengthen pandemic prevention, readiness and preparedness NOW. Pandemic preparedness is a constant”.
The heads of the international health organizations asked the people to stick to the COVID-19 preventive norms so as to beat the pandemic. These measures include – maintaining a required social distance, sanitizing frequently, and washing hands.
The above remarks by Van Kerkhove were made during a press conference on June 14.
“Know what your risk is, where you live & where you’re going. Take measures to lower your risk. We’re not saying to stop travel or socializing but do it as safely as possible with the tools that exist today”, she then added.
As per WHO, BA.2 variant is the dominating worldwide. The cases of BA.4, and BA.5 have been reported in a significant number.
“The good news is that the COVID-19 vaccines continue to prove to be effective against the virus. These vaccines, which are based on the ancestral strain, are significantly reducing hospitalizations, admission to ICU and deaths”.