AFP extension
ANNOUNCEMENTS•
Reduced attention to the fight against the corona virus can lead to the emergence of a new deadly variant. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director of the World Health Organization (WHO), warns against this. It is true, according to him, that 90 percent of the world’s population has now developed some degree of immunity, but that doesn’t mean countries can sit back and relax.
For example, fewer tests and vaccinations would create “the perfect conditions for a new variant of concern that could cause significant mortality,” says Tedros. WHO calls on countries to continue encouraging at-risk groups to get vaccinated, such as people over the age of 60 and people with underlying disorders.
Optimistic
Two months ago, Tedros said the end of the corona pandemic it is in sight, in the most optimistic corona press conference he has held to date. Even today he said: “We are close to overcoming the emergency phase of the pandemic, but we are not there yet”.
His statements come at a time when the number of confirmed corona infections in China is on the rise. The number of recorded infections has also risen slightly in the UK for the first time since October.
Chinese loosening
Last week there were unprecedented fierce protests in China against Beijing’s strict policy against the coronavirus. Since then, coronavirus measures have been relaxed in several areas and appear to be the same for the rest of the country relaxations be in the works.
A senior WHO official today said he was “delighted” about this. “It is very important that governments listen to the population when there is suffering,” said the health organization official.
Relatively few elderly people in China have been vaccinated against the corona virus. An estimated two-thirds of people over the age of 80 have had a shot with less effective vaccines developed in China.
Some health officials fear the lifting of coronavirus measures in the country will lead to a surge in hospitalizations and deaths. Because areas with infections have always been closed, people have developed little immunity.
