WHO is alert to the increase in cases driven by Omicron strains: “We are playing with fire”

“The epidemic is not over”. Time and time again, experts around the world warn that Covid-19 is still affecting thousands of people. now, World Health Organization (WHO) Chief Technical Officer Maria Van Kerkowpublished an analysis of the progress of the coronavirus in relation to Omicron Types (BA.4, BA.5 and BA.2.75) And warned:We are playing with fire by letting this virus spread to such an extreme”. And he highlighted that “Deaths worldwide remain at levels similar to March 2020,” when there are no SARS-CoV-2 vaccines yet.

With a series of tweets, Van Kerkow It analyzed how the pandemic was progressing in the world and made a series of warnings and recommendations. “Global COVID-19 deaths remain at similar levels to March 2020“, began the expert. Noting that, “Although deaths are much lower now than they were at their peak 2.5 years ago, it’s important to remember that as of 3/20, we know very little about this virus and have no treatments or vaccines.

In that sense, the expert pointed out, “In July 2022, we have not used many life-saving interventions effectively or universally, and deaths should be very low at this stage of the epidemic.” That is why he insisted The epidemic is not “over”. “We are playing with fire by allowing this virus to spread to such an extreme,” he warned.

“Among the Ómicron lineages, BA.5 and BA.4 continue to rise globally. BA.5 has been detected in 83 countries, ranging from 37% to 52% from June 19 to 25. BA.4 rate is not higher than BA.5″, pointed out Van Gerkov; Emphasis was placed on using known and established “solutions” during epidemics. “They must be used to save lives, save livelihoods, reduce the spread and prevent long-term covid.“, he added.

In addition, WHO’s technical chief assured that “it is necessary to celebrate successes based on the application of science and medicine, public health activities and the collective efforts of many people around the world who have saved lives”. Emphasized: “As equitable distribution of vaccines against Covid-19 has not yet been achieved, our work is not finished” and asked “not to dismantle what is built”.

“Many people die needlessly when we have the tools to prevent them.: Be alert, wear a mask, distance yourself, get vaccinated, open windows, wash your hands, get tested, isolate if infected, isolate if in contact, stay informed, “Live,” the expert said. Life But be careful, your life is precious.

That is why, he reiterated: “The epidemic is not over yet We must live responsibly with this virus. We can do this. We have to do it”. “At WHO, we will continue to work everywhere, everywhere, until this emergency ends, and we will continue to work to better prepare and act better to prevent the next one,” he concluded.

This message from van Kerko is related Increased infection Recorded in recent weeks Asia, Europe and America. According to experts, this trend is linked to the increased infection of new Omicron subtypes, particularly BA.2, BA.4 and BA.5. For example, last Thursday, in just 24 hours, France reported 161,000, Germany 117,400, Italy 108,930, Brazil 76,850 and the United States 91,100 new infections.

What’s more, health officials in India last month identified a new subtype, BA.2.75, It indicated that daily positive cases rose from 3,000 to 20,000 in a few weeks.

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