The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that there are too many countries that are currently experiencing an exponential increase in coronavirus cases, especially in the northern hemisphere.
The number of COVID-19 cases has doubled in 10 days across Europe, and several European countries have reported their highest daily increases in numbers this week, and the united States has recorded its biggest one-day rise in infections – more than 70 000 – since July on Thursday, October 22. The country has also expressed concerns of a third wave of COVID-19.
“We are at a critical juncture in the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the Northern Hemisphere,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a news conference. “The next few months are going to be very tough and some countries are on a dangerous track.”
Coronavirus has infected 42-million people and killed 1.1-million across the globe since the virus’ initial outbreak in December 2019. Many countries have gone through lockdown periods extending into months, as well as border closures.
The WHO has also warned of co-circulation with the annual flu season in winter months along with COVID-19, as this could place an additional burden on vulnerable populations and healthcare systems which are already strained as a result of the pandemic.
“We urge leaders to take immediate action to prevent further unnecessary deaths, essential health services from collapsing, and schools shutting again. As I said it in February and I’m repeating it today: This is not a drill,” Ghebreyesus said.
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