According to Maria Van Kerkhove, the technical director for pandemic and epidemic preparedness and prevention at the WHO (World Health Organization), data from surveillance systems in 84 countries indicate a substantial increase in the detection of positive COVID tests. She told reporters on August 6 that the disease remains “very much present among us.”
Overall, the numbers show a 10% increase, but the rate varies by region. In Europe, for example, the increase was 20%. In addition, the virus’s worldwide circulation may be two to twenty times greater than what is currently known, according to WHO wastewater monitoring data. “This is important because the virus continues to evolve, which puts us at risk of more dangerous mutations,” Kerkhove said.
The director cited an increase in hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19 in several countries and highlighted that this scenario was not expected at this time of year since respiratory viruses tend to circulate more strongly during the winter in the Northern Hemisphere. “Over the last few months, regardless of the season, several countries have reported an increase in COVID-19 cases,” she said.
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According to Kerkhove, out of a total of 234 WHO member countries, only 34 reported data on COVID-19 hospitalizations, 24 on ICU admissions, and 70 on deaths. “We are blind when it comes to the impacts of COVID-19,” he said, highlighting that the organization relies on the numbers to establish, for example, the level of risk for the disease.
She also expressed concern about the “alarming drop” in vaccination rates worldwide, particularly among health care workers and people over 60, groups considered at risk for the disease. “This situation needs to be remedied urgently,” she said. She also called on governments to increase surveillance and invest in vaccine acquisition.
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Finally, the WHO director recommended individual measures to reduce the risk of infection and worsening of the condition. She highlighted the importance of having received a dose of the COVID vaccine in the last 12 months, especially for people in risk groups.
“What has become critical now is: when was your last dose? If you have any comorbidities, you need to be vaccinated at least every 12 months,” he said. He also said that “the virus is here to stay. But the future impact of COVID-19 depends on us.”
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