End to pandemic not likely in 2021 – WHO


The World Health Organisation (WHO) believes it is unlikely the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19)will come to an end by the end of 2021.

“I think it will be very premature and unrealistic to think that we are going to finish with this virus by the end of the year,” Michael Ryan, director of the WHO’s health emergencies programme, said at a briefing on Tuesday.

“What we can, if we are smart, finish with is the hospitalisations and the deaths and the tragedy associated with this pandemic,” Ryan added.

The WHO’s focus at present was to keep transmissions as low as possible and vaccinate more and more people.

The situation regarding the delivery of vaccine doses had already improved compared to 10 weeks ago, Ryan said, although there were “huge challenges” in distributing them and the virus still had the upper hand.

“If the vaccines begin to impact not only on death and not only on hospitalization, but have a significant impact on transmission dynamics and transmission risk, then I believe we will accelerate towards controlling this pandemic,” Ryan said.

The number of new cases of COVID-19 rose by 7 per cent worldwide, last week, the WHO said later on Tuesday.

This is the first increase following a fall in case numbers over the past six weeks.

In the last week of February, 2.6 million cases were reported to the UN agency in Geneva in the last week of February.

The increase could be due to new and more contagious strains of the virus, the WHO said, citing easing of rules and fatigue with regulations as other possible causes.

The Middle East saw the largest rise of 14 per cent, followed by a 9-per-cent rise in South-East Asia. Case numbers also rose by 9 per cent in Europe and by 6 per cent in the Americas.

In contrast, nearly a quarter fewer cases were reported in Africa compared to the week before.

Likewise case numbers fell slightly in the Western Pacific region including East Asia and Australia.

According to WHO, vaccines do not provide immunity immediately but need several weeks before they become effective, and noted it would take even longer to protect whole populations.

That means testing, contact tracing, social distancing, masks and other hygiene measures remain critical. (dpa/NAN)

Facebook Comments Box
Copyright 2024 ROYAL NEWS. All rights reserved. Digital material on this website, may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from ROYAL NEWS.
 

For Adverts and News/Event Coverage, contact 08061346946, 07030849251. Or email info@royalnews.com.ng

Download ROYAL NEWS app

Html code here! Replace this with any non empty raw html code and that's it.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Subscribe

Popular News

Latest News

More like this
Related

Senator Ibrahim advises United Nations against global tax to fund SDGs

The Senator representing Ondo South Senatorial District in...

NVMA seeks drastic action to remedy unhealthy abattoirs across Nigeria

National President of Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association, NVMA, Dr....

Afenifere leader, Ayo Adebanjo dies at 96

A foremost nationalist and Co-founder of Afenifere movement, Chief...

Birthday: You’re an incredible, valuable asset to humanity, Emir Sulu-Gambari greets Etsu Patigi

The Emir of Ilorin and Chairman Kwara State Traditional...

Emir of Ilorin hails appointment of Binta Mora as GM Harmony FM

The Emir of Ilorin and Chairman Kwara State Traditional...

ONGOING…Oloyede leads JAMB team to monitor UTME registration exercise in Kwara

The Registrar of Joint Admission and Matriculations Board, (JAMB)Professor...

Emir of Ilorin rejoices with SEAP Chairman, Oladokun Olatunde at 60

The Emir of Ilorin and Chairman Kwara State Traditional...

Starlink Global donates 90KVA solar inverter, Hillux van to UNILORIN

An indigenous company, Starlink Global & Ideal Ltd, has...

Army promotes Diya, 122 senior officers

The Army Council has approved the promotion of 123...

2023 polls: SERAP secures judgment against INEC, governors, deputies

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, in a...

NASS assures Buhari of continued support to deliver campaign promises

National Assembly has assured President Muhammadu Buhari of continued...

My Life Is At Risk, Rivers Collation Officer Cries Out

Prof Charles Adias has suspended the collation of results...

Family announce burial arrangements for late Gbamoyin of Jimba

The burial of the remain of the late Gbamoyin...

Fayemi pays unscheduled visit to offices, commends Ekiti workers for dedication

Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has commended civil...

Why we’re not interested in voting – Youths

In spite of the awareness to get citizens participate...

Group Hails Speaker Abbas, Bichi Over Supplementary Budget Passage

A National Assembly Support Group has lauded Speaker of...

Get vaccinated to stay safe, Sultan tells Nigerians

The Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Sa'ad Abubakar III...