COVID-19: 2.5 Million Cases, 160,000 Deaths Globally - WHO

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that globally, there are about 2.5 million coronavirus cases and more than 160,000 deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic.

WHO's Director-General, Tedros Ghebreyesus, while speaking at a press conference on COVID-19 said, “Globally, almost 2.5 million cases of COVID-19 have now been reported to WHO, and more than 160,000 deaths."

He added that the organisation had observed the medium of transmission if different regions across the globe, stating that in Western Europe, the virus spread seems to be abating or stable. 

Although, when speaking on the spread in Africa, Eastern Europe and other regions, the observations are grim.

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“Although numbers are low, we see worrying upward trends in Africa, Central and South America, and Eastern Europe," he said.

“Most countries are still in the early stages of their epidemics.

“And some that were affected early in the pandemic are now starting to see a resurgence in cases.

“Make no mistake: we have a long way to go. This virus will be with us for a long time.”

He said that the directive to stay at home issued in some countries to reduce the spread of the virus in those regions has been effective in the containment of the spread.

He added, “One of the greatest dangers we face now is complacency. People in countries with stay-at-home orders are understandably frustrated with being confined to their homes for weeks on end.”