Last updated on September 17th, 2023 at 04:23 pm
The World Health Organisation has required lab tests to avoid the simultaneous emergence of COVID-19; and other respiratory diseases in places where a COVID-19 outbreak and vast respiratory outbreaks are occurring.
Highlight
- 15 Million cases with 100 Countries
- 2 Million Cases reported in Nigeria alone.
- India reported 1,94,720 new COVID-19 cases and 442 fatalities on Wednesday
- The daily positivity rate due to this virus is 11.05 per cent. Active cases are responsible for 2.65 per cent of total cases.
With population mixing on the rise and influenza spreading, WHO is urging for preparedness over increased sneezing and coughing. Maria van Kerkhove, WHO’s member of the Vulnerability Assessment and Mitigation Group, said this on Wednesday at a press briefing. Scientists from developing countries have also made important research advances
Omicron variant rapidly replacing Delta
The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus; reports thatLast week more than 15 million COVID-19 cases were reported to WHO by around 100 countries worldwide. Among these were nearly 2 million recently confirmed cases in Nigeria alone.
While the number of patients being hospitalised is increasing in most countries; last cases seen in previous waves were much worse. That may be due to Omicron levels no longer being viewed as a significant threat; or past vaccinations protecting lesser severity cases
Heavy burden on healthcare systems
United Nations warned that the sheer volume of cases is places undue burden on healthcare systems. “We will have to adapt as this virus evolves; ” said Van Kerkhove, warning against future outbreaks among those who are unvaccinated and not well protected.
Vaccination, as well as maintaining clinical care, has reduced the number of reported deaths every week since October 2013. There were average weekly deaths at 48,000 over the last five years.
Massive surge in COVID cases in India
At the same time, India has been witnessing a massive surge in COVID-19 cases in the past few days. According to the Union Health Ministry, India reported 1,94,720 new COVID-19 cases and 442 fatalities on Wednesday. The daily positivity rate due to this virus is 11.05 per cent. Active cases are responsible for 2.65 per cent of total cases.
