WHO: Weekly Covid-19 deaths at lowest level since March 2020

The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that the weekly loss of life due to the Covid-19 pandemic has reached the lowest level since March 2020.

WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, at a press conference in Geneva, assessed Covid-19 and monkey pox outbreaks and the impact of floods in Pakistan on health services.

Ghebreyesus stressed that the global loss of life due to Covid-19 last week was at the lowest level since March 2020, saying, “We have never been in a better position to end the epidemic. We see the end, but we are not there.”

“WE MUST SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITY NOW”

Defending the view that the finish line had been reached in the fight against Covid-19, Ghebreyesus said, “The worst thing we will do in this situation is to stop. We have to run faster and cross the finish line. If we do not take this opportunity now, we will lead to more variants, death and uncertainty risks.”

Ghebreyesus reiterated his call for WHO member countries to vaccinate all citizens at risk and meet the target of vaccinating 70 percent of their population.

Stating that the global decline in the monkey pox epidemic continued together with Covid-19, Ghebreyesus said, “Just like with Covid-19, we should not get used to comfort in the fight against monkey pox and not let our guard down. All countries and communities should continue to do what they have done so far.”