Make no mistake, this virus will be with us for long time: WHO director-general
Geneva/IBNS: World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Wednesday warned that most of the countries are still in the early stages of their epidemics and the deadly Coronavirus 'will stay with us for a long time.'
Addressing a virtual press conference, Ghebreyesus said: "Most countries are still in the early stages of their epidemics. And some that were affected early in the pandemic are now starting to see a resurgence in cases. Make no mistake: we have a long way to go. This virus will be with us for a long time."
He said observed that while the stay-at-home orders and other physical distancing measures have successfully suppressed transmission in many countries, "but this virus remains extremely dangerous."
Media briefing on #COVID19 with @DrTedros. https://t.co/u8sWlKpEXk
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) April 22, 2020
"Early evidence suggests most of the world’s population remains susceptible. That means epidemics can easily re-ignite," he said.
The WHO Director-General claimed that one of the greatest dangers the world faces right now is complacency.
"People in countries with stay-at-home orders are understandably frustrated with being confined to their homes for weeks on end," he added.
He noted that people understandably want to get on with their lives because their lives and livelihoods are at stake.
"That’s what WHO wants too. And that’s what we are working for, all day, every day. But the world will not and cannot go back to the way things were. There must be a “new normal” – a world that is healthier, safer and better prepared," he advised.
He pointed out the steps every country needs to do : "Find every case; Isolate every case; Test every case; Care for every case; Trace and quarantine every contact; And educate, engage and empower your people. The fight cannot be effective without empowering people and without the full participation of our people."
He also mentioned about several disturbing reports in many countries, in all regions, about discrimination related to COVID-19.
"Stigma and discrimination are never acceptable anywhere at anytime, and must be fought in all countries. As I have said many times, this is a time for solidarity, not stigma. WHO is also working actively to address the impacts of the pandemic on mental health," Ghebreyesus assured.
Globally, the highly contagious virus has infected 2,611,182 people and claimed the lives of 181,235 across 185 countries.
The United States has the maximum number of cases at 834,858 infections and 45,638 deaths.
Support Our Journalism
We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism
IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.
Support objective journalism for a small contribution.
