Geneva: For the third week in a row, the number of new cases of COVID-19 reported globally fell last week, the World Health Organisation said on February 1, 2021. It noted that while there are still many countries with increasing numbers of cases, but at the global level, “this is encouraging news”.
However, the WHO warned that “we have been here before”, and reminded that over the past year, there had been moments in almost all countries when cases declined, and governments opened up too quickly and individuals let down their guard, “only for the virus to come roaring back”.
“As vaccines are rolled out, it’s vital that all of us continue to take the precautions to keep ourselves and each other safe. Be a role model,” WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said.
Also read: 15% decline in new COVID-19 cases last week, WHO
The decrease in new COVID-19 cases, the WHO said, shows this virus can be controlled, even with the new variants in circulation. “And it shows that if we keep going with the same proven public health measures, we can prevent infections and save lives,” Dr. Ghebreyesus told media persons here. However, still was vital that governments enabled people to make the right choices, whether it was making quarantine easier to adhere to, or making workplaces safer.
“Controlling the spread of the virus saves lives now, and saves lives later by reducing the chances of more variants emerging. And it helps to ensure vaccines remain effective,” the WHO D-G said.
Meanwhile, reports suggest that after the completion of the 14 day quarantine period, the team of scientists from the WHO have started investigating the origin of the pandemic by visiting the places where Coronavirus was first spread including the live animal market, hospital and the disease control centre in Wuhan in China, on February 1. (Also read: WHO team reaches Wuhan; to be in quarantine for two weeks).
– global bihari bureau
