New Delhi: With US President Joe Biden testing positive for COVID-19 ahead of the Presidential elections, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued a reminder that the pandemic is far from over. The WHO emphasized the ongoing threat of COVID-19, which continues to claim 1,700 lives every week worldwide.
The WHO urged those planning summer holidays to take precautions, including vaccination, mask-wearing, and testing.
In a statement dated July 15, 2024, the WHO reported that from May 27 to June 23, 2024, the percentage of SARS-CoV-2 PCR tests returning positive results rose from 5.6% to 7.1% across 84 countries, with 16,888 specimens tested weekly. Variants KP.3 and LB.1, descendants of JN.1 and classified as variants under monitoring (VUMs), have been increasingly prevalent globally.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted a concerning decline in vaccination rates among health professionals and those over 60—groups most at risk from COVID-19. “WHO recommends that people in the highest-risk groups receive a COVID-19 vaccine within 12 months of their last dose,” Tedros stated.
In the UK, some hospitals have reinstated mask requirements and advised individuals with COVID-19 symptoms to avoid medical facilities unless necessary. The Tour de France has mandated mask-wearing for participants when interacting with teams or competitors due to a surge in cases.
The WHO has recorded approximately seven million COVID-19 deaths, though the actual number is believed to be higher. The pandemic has significantly impacted health systems and economies. In May 2023, Tedros declared the end of the COVID-19 international public health emergency. The virus was first identified in Wuhan, China, in late 2019.
The latest WHO COVID-19 Vaccination Insights Report for the first quarter of 2024 (January-March) revealed that 9.8 million people received a vaccine dose across 73 reporting Member States, representing 22% of the global population. Among older adults, 4.9 million received a dose in 60 reporting Member States, corresponding to an uptake rate of 0.42% this year.
While in isolation, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre assured the public that Biden, who has received booster shots, continues to perform his presidential duties. Biden’s physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, confirmed that the President’s symptoms remain moderate.
