The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported an increase in Covid-19 cases worldwide. Although this is not a new wave of infection, the rates are showing a New spike in infections since the beginning of summerThe international organization adds that the numbers are unlikely to decrease in the short term, and warns that more resistant variants of the coronavirus could emerge.
“The virus is circulating in all countries. Data from our surveillance system in 84 countries indicate that the percentage of positive tests for SARS-CoV-2 has been increasing over the past few weeks. Overall, the number of positive tests is above 10%, but fluctuates across regions. In Europe, the percentage of positive cases exceeds 20%,” said Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO’s Acting Director of Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention.
WHO updates list of pathogens that could lead to next pandemic
The WHO has modified its list of viruses and bacteria with the highest risk of causing a pandemic; the last time such an exercise was carried out was in 2018.
This surge has begun to wreak havoc on the Paris Olympics. Maria Van Kerkhove mentions that At least 40 athletes have tested positive for coronavirus during the sporting event.
Following the official declaration of the end of the pandemic, the United Nations’ top health agency has remained alert to the increases and waves of infection globally. One of the obvious and expected conclusions, after observing the behavior of the disease, is that the virus is more latent during the winter season. New reports suggest that the pathogen can break out at any time of the year.
The WHO has called on governments around the world to remain vigilant. Strengthen vaccination and prevention campaigns. He urged local and regional agencies in each country to provide priority vaccination days for the most vulnerable groups. “Covid-19 is still very present,” Van Kerkhove said at a press conference in Geneva. He added that the new surge is more prevalent in countries in the Americas, Europe and the Western Pacific.
New strains in the spotlight
The WHO specialist made clear that the coronavirus continues to evolve and spread through different routes. It has become more resilient and new variants could evade known detection systems. “I am concerned,” Van Kerkhove said in her statement. She noted that High infection rates during the boreal summer are not common“Regardless of the time of year, many countries have experienced resurgences of Covid-19 in recent months.”
Although no hospital occupancy peaks have been reported, the global health authority is asking the population to follow the vaccination campaigns in each country. The highest risk groups must be vaccinated every 12 months in accordance with the measures issued by the same organization.
The WHO representative has regretted the low production of vaccines over the past year and a half. But she says that this is normal because it is difficult to maintain the urgent distribution that took place in 2021 and 2022. However, there should be no excuse to avoid the drug, she says. “There is a market for Covid-19 vaccines that is already available.”
Mexico currently reports more than 11,000 positive cases and 425 deaths from coronavirus. The entity that registers the highest number of infections is Mexico City, with almost 25%. The state of Nuevo León with 9%; Querétaro and the State of Mexico point to a rate of 8%, followed by Puebla, with 4%. The Ministry of Health asks citizens to be attentive to the new vaccination days, and keeps the vaccination centers open. telephone hotlines by entity.
