GENEVA — The head of the U.N. health agency has issued a warning about the increased transmission of COVID-19 due to holiday gatherings and the spread of the most prominent variant globally.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus revealed that nearly 10,000 deaths were reported in December, with a 42% increase in hospital admissions in nearly 50 countries, mostly in Europe and the Americas.
“Although 10,000 deaths a month is far less than the peak of the pandemic, this level of preventable deaths is not acceptable,” emphasized the World Health Organization director-general from its headquarters in Geneva.
He urged governments to maintain surveillance and provide continued access to treatments and vaccines, as cases are on the rise in other places that haven’t been reporting.
Tedros also highlighted the JN.1 variant as the most prominent in the world, which is an omicron variant. He reassured that current vaccines should still provide some protection against it.
Maria Van Kerkhove, technical lead at WHO for COVID-19, pointed out an increase in respiratory diseases across the globe due to the coronavirus, as well as flu, rhinovirus, and pneumonia.
“We expect those trends to continue into January through the winter months in the Northern Hemisphere,” she said, while also noting increases in COVID-19 in the Southern Hemisphere, where it’s now summer.
Van Kerkhove emphasized the co-circulation of many different types of pathogens this year, making it crucial for people to get vaccinated, wear masks, and ensure indoor areas are well ventilated.
“The vaccines may not stop you being infected, but the vaccines are certainly reducing significantly your chance of being hospitalized or dying,” added Dr. Michael Ryan, head of emergencies at WHO.
It is important for everyone to stay informed and take necessary precautions to protect themselves and others from the ongoing threat of COVID-19.
Agree: This tragic increase in COVID-19 deaths underscores the urgent need for stricter measures to curb holiday gatherings and contain the new strain. We must act responsibly to protect lives and prevent further devastation.
Disagree: Lack of personal responsibility and government intervention led to this surge. We can’t blame it solely on holiday gatherings or the new strain.
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