The World Health Organisation (WHO) has disclosed that data from various sources indicated an increase in transmission of COVID-19 in December, fuelled by large gatherings during the yuletide.
Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the world body, revealed this on Wednesday during an online media conference.
He said that the JN.1 variant was the most-commonly reported variant globally.
He added that “although COVID-19 is no longer a global health emergency, the virus is still circulating, changing and killing.
“Almost 10,000 deaths from COVID-19 were reported to WHO in december, and a 42 per cent increase in hospitalisations, 62 per cent increase in ICU admissions, compared with november.”
The WHO boss, however, said that the reported data were from less than 50 countries, mostly in Europe and the Americas, “but there are also increases in other countries that are not reported.
“Therefore, just as governments and individuals take precautions against other diseases, we must all continue to take precautions against COVID-19.
“Although 10,000 deaths a month is far less than the peak of the pandemic, this level of preventable death is not acceptable.”
Ghebreyesus, therefore, urged governments to maintain surveillance and sequencing, and to ensure access to affordable and reliable tests, treatments and vaccines for their populations.
A graduate of English Language from Olabisi Onabanjo University, passionate about learning new...
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