TheCable

Tedros Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organisation (WHO), says COVID-19 cases worldwide have decreased over the past seven weeks.

Speaking at a media briefing on Monday, the DG added that although cases have declined worldwide, deaths have increased in many countries with over 10,000 persons dying daily.

“Globally, the number of COVID-19 cases reported to WHO has now declined for seven weeks in a row, which is the longest sequence of weekly declines during the pandemic so far,” he said.

“While weekly cases are at their lowest since February, deaths are not falling as quickly. The number of deaths reported last week was similar to the previous week and the global decline masks a worrying increase in cases and deaths in many countries.

“More than 10,000 people are dying every day. During this press conference alone, more than 420 people will die.”

Ghebreyesus also said the “steep” rise in cases reported in Africa is worrying, as the continent has the least access to vaccines and equipment.

He added that new variants of the virus have contributed to increased transmission, and noted that at least 70 percent of the world population must be vaccinated by 2022 to end the pandemic.

“The steep increase in Africa is specially concerning, because it’s the region with the least access to vaccines, diagnostics, and oxygen. A recent study in the Lancet showed Africa has the highest global mortality rate among critically-ill COVID-19 patients, despite having fewer reported cases than most other regions,” he said.

“Available evidence suggests new variants have substantially increased transmission globally. That means the risk have increased for people who are not protected which is most of the world’s population.

“Right now, the virus is moving faster than the global distribution of vaccines. At the G7 summit on Saturday, I said that to end the pandemic, our shared goal must be to vaccinate at least 70 percent of the world’s population by the time the G7 meets again in Germany next year. To do that, we need 11 billion doses.

“I welcome the announcement that G7 countries will donate 870 million vaccines doses primarily through COVAX. This is a big help, but we need more.”