The COVID-19 rebound will push global cases to 200 million in the next two weeks, said to the WHO.
“Almost four million cases were reported to WHO last week and on current trends, we expect the total number of cases to pass 200 million within the next two weeks,” Director General of WHO Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Friday.
“And we know this is an underestimate”,he added.
the Delta variant, spreading fast across the world, is particularly threathening for Africa, where deaths have increased by 80% and populations are not
Last month, the WHO chief announced the setting up of a technology transfer hub for mRNA vaccines In South Africa as part of WHO’s efforts to scale up production of vaccines and their distribution in Africa.
Tedros blamed the rise of cases on increased social mixing and mobility, the inconsistent use of public health and social measures, and inequitable vaccine use.
“WHO has warned that the COVID-19 virus has been changing since it was first reported, and it continues to change. So far, four variants of concern have emerged, and there will be more as long as the virus continues to spread”, he underscored.
Dr. Michael Ryan, Executive Director of WHO Health Emergencies, said that even with the virus getting “faster and fitter” the gameplan does not change, but It needs to be implemented more efficiently.
“Delta is a warning that this virus is evolving, but it is also a call to action before more dangerous variants emerge”, he said.
Infections have increased by 55% and deaths by 15% over a month in the eastern Mediterranian region, which has recorded more than 310,000 cases and 3,500 deaths per week.
Some countries, such as Tunisia, which has the highest number of deaths in North Africa, are struggling to cope with the surge in infections. Oxygen cylinders are running out in the resuscitation departments, which are overwhelmed.
Delta is 60% more infectious than previous variants, causing countries with previously low levels of infections and mortality to see a soar in cases.
First identified in India, the variant is more dangerous than others, with the first dose of the vaccine unable not offer enough protection to combat infections, leaving people in the interval period between the two doses at risk of catching it.
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