Covid pandemic to be far more deadly this year, warns WHO chief

During a media briefing, the UN health body chief said more than 3.3 million lives have been lost globally due to the virus and "we’re on track for the second year of this pandemic."

"Trickle down vaccination is not an effective strategy for fighting a deadly respiratory virus. COVID19 has already cost more than 3.3 million lives and we’re on track for the second year of this pandemic to be far more deadly than the first," he said.

"Vaccine supply remains a key challenge, but this week I've been pleased to see leaders & manufacturers working to:
1. share doses with COVAX
2. make new deals involving tech-transfer & sharing of know-how
3. call for lifting trade barriers as soon as possible," he wrote in a tweet.

Meanwhile, Japan extended a state of emergency amid growing calls for the Olympics to be scrapped.

Singapore too is all set to return to lockdown-like conditions for four weeks starting May 16 with a complete ban in dining-in amid a rise in Covid cases.

Besides, India has been hit hard by the second wave of the pandemic with several of the South Asian country's states struggling to provide effective treatment amid an overwhelmed health infrastructure, oxygen and vaccine shortage.

Being heavily criticised globally for India's handling of Covid crisis, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday remarked that Central Government and all the State Governments together are making continuous efforts to enable more and more countrymen to get vaccinated at a rapid pace.

He said so far, around 18 crore vaccine doses have been given across the country. Free vaccination is being done in government hospitals across the country.

Modi urged everyone to register for the vaccine when their turn comes and ensure covid appropriate behaviour at all times. He added that this vaccine is an important means of protection against coronavirus and will reduce the risk of serious illness.