WHO reminds not to lift new crown prevention and control measures too early Surge, do not lift prevention and control measures prematurely.
Maria van Kerckhoff, technical director of WHO’s emergency program, told reporters on the same day that the number of new crown cases worldwide has increased, and it is in the case of “a significant reduction in (new crown virus) testing”. Now canceling epidemic prevention measures such as wearing masks and maintaining social distance will give the virus more opportunities to spread.
According to WHO data, from the 7th to the 13th of this month, there were 11 million new confirmed cases of new crown worldwide, an increase of 8% over the previous week, the first increase since January this year; new deaths More than 43,000 cases.
In the more than two years since the outbreak of the new crown epidemic, the cumulative number of deaths has exceeded 6 million. Van Kerckhoff said the actual figure could be several times that number, and the recent rebound in the epidemic was “affected by a combination of factors.”
She said that the Omicron strain of the new coronavirus variant is still raging around the world, with the emergence of a subtype variant strain BA.1 and a more infectious BA.2, “This is the most contagious virus so far. Strong new coronavirus variant.” At present, the complete or large-scale cancellation of epidemic prevention measures in many countries, coupled with uneven vaccination status, makes the new crown virus more likely to spread.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reminded that some countries have reduced the number of new crown tests, which means that “the cases we are seeing now are just the tip of the iceberg.” “When the number of cases increases, so does the death toll… We call on countries to remain vigilant, the epidemic is not over.”
Van Kerckhoff pointed out, don’t make the mistake of thinking that “the new crown epidemic has passed, Omick has passed. Rong strains are not harmful,” and the virus remains a risk for elderly, pre-existing, and unvaccinated populations.
“The good thing is that we have the tools to reduce the spread of the virus… We know that wearing masks, social distancing works, and getting vaccinated saves lives,” Van Kerckhove said. ).”
According to Reuters reports, experts are worried that the United States has lifted the epidemic prevention measures such as the mask order, and the immunity effect of the population has weakened after several months of vaccination, which may soon usher in a subtype of Omicron. A new wave of outbreaks caused by the mutant strain BA.2. The White House said on the 14th that the BA.2 strain has been circulating in the United States for some time, and there are currently about 35,000 infected cases, which are expected to continue to increase. (End) (Xinhua News Agency special feature)
Keywords: Maria Van Kerkhove (Maria Van Kerkhove)