Geneva: In the past week, the number of reported cases of COVID-19 increased for the first time in 7 weeks. Reported cases increased in four of WHO’s six regions: the Americas, Europe, South East Asia and the Eastern Mediterranean, the World Health Organisation stated here.
“This is disappointing, but not surprising. We’re working to better understand these increases in transmission,” Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters here on March 1, 2021. He attributed the increase in COVID-19 cases to relaxing of public health measures, continued circulation of variants, and people letting down their guard.
“Vaccines will help to save lives, but if countries rely solely on vaccines, they’re making a mistake. Basic public health measures remain the foundation of the response. For public health authorities, that means testing, contact tracing, isolation, supported quarantine and quality care. For individuals, it means avoiding crowds, physical distancing, hand hygiene, masks and ventilation,” he said, adding that this was a global crisis that required a consistent and coordinated global response.
Also read: Global Corona cases continue to fall, but variants find new territories
Between now and the end of May, 237 million doses of vaccines will be allocated to 142 participating economies in COVAX, Dr. Ghebreyesus said. He added that WHO and its partners in COVAX will continue to work “day and night towards our vision of seeing vaccination start in every country within the first 100 days of this year. There are now 40 days left”.
COVAX will publish the first round of allocations, covering the majority of economies participating in the COVAX Facility, on March 2, 2021, he informed.
“Today, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire started vaccinating health workers against COVID-19, becoming the first countries to start vaccination campaigns with doses supplied through COVAX. A further 11 million doses will be delivered this week,” Dr. Ghebreyesus informed.
– global bihari bureadu
