The World Health Organization calls on citizens to be vigilant as cases of Covid-19 are increasing around the world, while vaccination coverage is “alarmingly decreasing”.
“The virus is circulating in all countries. Data from the surveillance system in 84 countries indicate that the rate of positive tests for SARS-CoV-2 has been increasing for several weeks,” said WHO Director for Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention, Maria Van Kerkhove. Positive tests are over 10% but this varies by region, he added.
The presence of coronavirus in sewage suggests that the circulation of the virus is 2-20 times higher than currently reported, he said, warning: “This is important because the virus continues to evolve and change, which puts us all at risk. risk of a potentially more serious virus that could escape our detection and/or our medical interventions, including vaccination.”
“Such a high circulation is not ‘typical’ for respiratory viruses that tend to increase their circulation during the colder months,” he said, noting that in recent months, regardless of season, many countries have experienced an outbreak of Covid-19.
40 positive athletes at the Olympics
As he said even in the Olympic Games at least 40 athletes have tested positive so far.
Kerkhove recommended that all countries consider co-administering Covid-19 vaccines with seasonal flu vaccines due to declining vaccination rates for the coronavirus.
According to her, in the last two years there has been an alarming decrease in vaccination, especially among health workers and people over 60 years old. “This must urgently be overturned,” he pointed out.
What should be done
WHO has reminded those in high-risk groups to get the Covid-19 vaccine within 12 months of their last dose.
He also called on governments to continue to provide their populations with the tools to protect themselves and care for people suffering from the long-term effects of Covid-19.
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