Covid-19 Cases Surge Across 84 Countries, WHO Cautions of New Variants
The World Health Organization (WHO) is urging people, particularly those in vulnerable groups, to stay vigilant and ensure they are vaccinated against Covid-19. Despite a common perception that the pandemic has waned, recent data suggests otherwise. The WHO reports an uptick in the percentage of positive Covid-19 tests across 84 countries in recent weeks.
The UN health agency has also issued a warning about the potential emergence of more severe coronavirus variants in the near future.
“Covid-19 remains a significant global concern and continues to circulate in every country,” stated Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove of the WHO during a press briefing in Geneva. “Our sentinel-based surveillance system has detected a rising trend in positive SARS-CoV-2 tests across 84 countries. On average, the test positivity rate exceeds 10 percent, though this varies by region. In Europe, for instance, the positivity rate has climbed above 20 percent,” Dr. Van Kerkhove elaborated.
According to a report by Fortune Magazine, the virus has been spreading extensively this summer, affecting various regions. Notably, U.S. President Joe Biden tested positive in July, and at least 40 athletes participating in the Paris Olympics have contracted Covid-19 or other respiratory illnesses.
A recent WHO release highlights that new waves of infection have been observed in the Americas, Europe, and the Western Pacific. Wastewater surveillance data indicates that the actual circulation of SARS-CoV-2 might be two to 20 times higher than current reports suggest. Such high transmission rates during the summer months in the Northern Hemisphere are unusual for respiratory viruses, which typically thrive in colder conditions.
“In the past few months, regardless of the season, many countries have experienced spikes in Covid-19 cases, including during the Olympics, where at least 40 athletes tested positive,” Dr. Van Kerkhove noted.
She emphasized the importance of taking precautions to reduce the risk of infection and severe illness. “It’s crucial for individuals, especially those in high-risk groups, to ensure they have received a Covid-19 vaccination within the last 12 months,” Dr. Van Kerkhove advised.
The WHO acknowledges a decline in vaccine availability over the past 12 to 18 months, partly due to a reduction in the number of vaccine manufacturers. “Maintaining the production levels seen in 2021 and 2022 has become increasingly challenging,” Dr. Van Kerkhove explained. “However, it’s important to recognize that there is still a demand for Covid-19 vaccines.”
