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  • World - News
  • Updated: June 02, 2020

COVID-19: Increased Use Of Antibiotics Leading To More Deaths - WHO

COVID-19: Increased Use Of Antibiotics Leading To More Death

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the increased use of antibiotics in the treatment of coronavirus will only lead to more deaths, as bacterial resistance will be strengthened.

The organization's Director-General, Tedros Ghebreyesus said that a “worrying number” of bacterial infections was growing resistance to antibiotics used to treat them.

Tedros, in a virtual conference, said, “The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increased use of antibiotics, which ultimately will lead to higher bacterial resistance rates that will impact the burden of disease and deaths during the pandemic and beyond."

He added that only a fraction of the patients suffering from coronavirus will need antibiotics in the treatment of subsequent infections caused by bacteria.

He also stated that the increase of bacterial resistance to antibiotics is “one of the most urgent challenges of our time”.

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Adding that “It’s clear that the world is losing its ability to use critically important antimicrobial medicines."

Fears of the overuse of antibiotics as administered in some countries was noted by Tedros who said that this could lead "to needless suffering and death”.

A Grim Survey

A report by the WHO said that there has been a disruption in the treatment and prevention of non-communicable diseases from the onset of the outbreak.

The report stated, which details a survey conducted in 155 countries, “This situation is of significant concern because people living with NCDs are at higher risk of severe COVID-19-related illness and death."

It also reports that 53 percent of countries either partially or completely experienced a disruption in hypertension treatment.

On Mass Gatherings

The WHO Director-General warned, “Mass gatherings have the potential to act as super-spreading events."

Adding to that is the WHO's technical lead Maria Van Kerkhove, “With increasing social mixing and people coming together, particularly in areas if the virus is not under control, that close contact between people can pose a risk," speaking on the mass protest going on in the United States.

She added, “Physical distancing remains a very important aspect to control and suppression of transmission of COVID-19. This is not over yet."

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