COVID-19 Still Kills 1,700 Persons Weekly – WHO

Joy ChukwuJuly 12, 20241 Mins read101

The World Health Organisation (WHO) reported on Thursday that, globally, COVID-19 still kills about 1,700 persons weekly, urging at-risk populations to keep up with their vaccinations.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that vaccine coverage is declining, especially among health workers and people over 60, who are among the most at risk.

“WHO recommends that people in the highest-risk groups receive a Covid-19 vaccine within 12 months of their last dose,” he said.

In May 2023, Tedros declared the end of COVID-19 as an international public health emergency. However, countries continue to report new waves of the virus while others implement strict COVID-19 laws to keep out the virus.

Over seven million COVID deaths have been reported to the WHO, although the actual number is likely much higher.

In May 2024, Singapore experienced a new wave of COVID-19, recording over 25,900 cases from May 5 to 11, as average daily hospitalisations rose to about 250 from 181, while ICU cases remained low at three.

Also, health authorities announced on Monday that Zambia saw a rise in COVID-19 cases following the recent cold season. They reported that between January and June this year, Zambia recorded 4,770 COVID-19 cases in six of the country’s 10 provinces, with Lusaka Province recording the highest number of infections.

While the cases and fatality rates remain significantly low compared to when it first broke out in 2020, the WHO continues to urge governments to maintain virus surveillance and sequencing and ensure access to affordable tests, treatments, and vaccines.