The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued a stark warning that COVID-19 remains a significant threat despite the declaration of the end of the international public health emergency in May 2023. This warning comes amidst a recent surge in COVID-19 cases globally and the news of US President Joe Biden testing positive for the virus. The WHO emphasizes that COVID-19 is still widespread and deadly, claiming the lives of 1700 people every week across the globe.
The WHO’s warning coincides with a rise in COVID-19 positivity rates reported from 84 countries. During the four-week period from May 27th to June 23rd, 2024, the SARS-CoV-2 PCR percent positivity increased from 5.6% to 7.1%. An average of 16,888 specimens were tested for SARS-CoV-2 each week during this period.
Furthermore, the WHO has identified concerning trends in the prevalence of specific COVID-19 variants. KP.3 and LB.1, both descendent lineages of JN.1, are classified as variants under monitoring (VUMs) and have shown an increasing prevalence globally.
The WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has expressed particular concern regarding the declining vaccination rates among health professionals and individuals over 60 years old – two demographics at the highest risk of COVID-19 related death. Tedros has urged individuals in these high-risk groups to receive a COVID-19 vaccine within 12 months of their last dose.
In response to the rising COVID-19 cases, some hospitals in the UK have reinstated the requirement for mask-wearing, while others are requesting that individuals experiencing COVID-19 symptoms avoid hospital visits unless seeking medical attention. The Tour de France in France has also implemented a mandatory mask policy for participants during interactions with teams or competitors.
Despite the declaration of the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency, the WHO estimates that approximately seven million COVID-19 deaths have been reported, acknowledging that the actual number of deaths is likely much higher. The global pandemic has had a devastating impact on health systems and economies worldwide.
While acknowledging the global COVID-19 situation, the White House Press Secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, has reassured the public that President Biden, who has received booster shots, is continuing to carry out his presidential duties despite his COVID-19 diagnosis. President Biden’s physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, confirmed that the President’s symptoms remain moderate.
The WHO’s latest COVID-19 Vaccination Insights Report for the first quarter of 2024 (January-March) reveals that 9.8 million individuals globally received a dose of COVID-19 vaccine across 73 reporting Member States, encompassing 22% of the global population. Among older adults, 4.9 million individuals received a dose in 60 reporting Member States, equating to a 0.42% uptake rate for the year so far.
The WHO’s warning serves as a reminder that COVID-19 remains a real and present danger. The organization continues to emphasize the importance of vaccination, mask-wearing, and other preventative measures, particularly for high-risk populations, as the fight against this virus is far from over.
