WHO warns of persistent threats from COVID
GENEVA, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The public health risks resulting from the COVID-19 virus remain high globally, with the virus circulating in all countries, a senior expert from the World Health Organization (WHO) said here on Friday.
According to estimates based on wastewater analysis, the actual circulation of COVID-19 is two to 19 times higher than the number of reported cases, Maria van Kerkhove, the interim director of WHO responsible for epidemic and pandemic preparedness and prevention, told a special briefing in Geneva.
She also expressed concerns regarding the emergence of post-COVID conditions (also called "long COVID") affecting multiple organs.
While there has been a drastic reduction in COVID-related deaths since the peak, around 10,000 deaths per month are still reported from 50 countries.
Van Kerkhove expressed concerns about the evolving nature of the virus, with the COVID-19 JN.1 variant representing around 57 percent of global sequences analyzed by the WHO.
Defined by specific criteria, including symptoms like severe fatigue, lung impairments, neurologic issues, and cardiac impairments persisting for four to 12 months or longer after the acute phase of the disease, the post-COVID condition is a matter of concern, she said.
Estimates suggest that one in ten infections could lead to post-COVID conditions, including severe cases. "No treatments are available yet because it's still so new," van Kerkhove said. "There is insufficient attention and funding dedicated to this area," she added.
She also warned of the rapid increase in the number of influenza infections in the northern hemisphere, with influenza positivity standing at around 20-21 percent in week 51 of 2023.
The expert also emphasized the need for simultaneous flu and COVID vaccination to mitigate the burden on healthcare systems. She also called for more booster vaccination, which is at a low level globally, with only 55 percent of older adults (over 75 or 80) having received a dose.
By the end of December 2023, more than 7 million people had been reported to the WHO as having died from COVID-19.
Related articles
Bernie Sanders campaigns for Biden while raising concerns about Gaza
WASHINGTON (AP) — In April, Bernie Sanders repeatedly stood shoulder to shoulder with President Joe2024-05-07Department of Internal Affairs announces cuts, winds up water reform teams
The Department of Internal Affairs is announcing job cuts today, joining other government department2024-05-07HKFP launches permanent digital archive of the History Museum's 'Hong Kong Story'
Subscribe to HKFP's twice-weekly newsletter for a concise round-up of local news and our best covera2024-05-07Wild weather: What to expect this weekend
Photo: Marika Khabazi2024-05-07EU Council adopts a plan worth 6 billion euros for Western Balkans to speed up enlargement process
BRUSSELS (AP) — EU countries approved a plan worth 6 billion euros ($6.45 billion) to support Wester2024-05-07Xi Jinping China President New Year address: Taiwan reunification is an ominous warning message
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here2024-05-07
atest comment