The World Health Organization warned on the 2nd that the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict could lead to further spread of the new coronavirus, raising the risk of a significant increase in severe cases of the new crown.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a press conference on the same day that before the conflict between Russia and Ukraine began, Ukraine had experienced a surge in new crown cases. Low testing rates for Covid-19 in the region since the conflict began, meaning there may be a large number of undetected cases of transmission. Coupled with the low local vaccination coverage, a large number of new crown infected people are at increased risk of developing severe disease. He also emphasized that the severe shortage of ventilators will also have an impact on the treatment of new crown patients.
According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, more than 870,000 people have left Ukraine as of the 1st of this month, and this number is expected to increase rapidly. Tedros said: “Large population movements may lead to further spread of the new coronavirus and increase the pressure on the health systems of (Ukraine) surrounding countries.”
Michael Ryan, executive director of the WHO Health Emergencies Program The press conference added that the large-scale population movement caused by the conflict may not only lead to the spread of the new coronavirus, but also may facilitate the generation of new and mutated new coronaviruses.
In addition, WHO has expressed concern about the safety of health facilities and health workers during conflict, stressing the importance of respecting and protecting health workers, patients, associated supplies, transport and facilities, and safe access to health care s right. WHO is currently delivering essential medical supplies to Ukraine from a material hub in Dubai.