In its latest pandemic report, WHO said 9
million cases were reported, a 16% weekly decline, and more than 26,000 new
deaths from COVID-19. The U.N. health agency said confirmed coronavirus
infections were down in all regions of the world.
However, it warned that the reported
numbers carry considerable uncertainty because many countries have stopped
widespread testing for the coronavirus, meaning that many cases are likely
going undetected.
WHO said it was also tracking an omicron
variant that is a recombination of two versions: BA.1 and BA.2, which was first
detected in Britain in January. WHO said early estimates suggest the recombined
omicron could be about 10% more transmissible than previous mutations, but
further evidence is needed.
The agency has continued to warn countries
not to drop their COVID-19 protocols too quickly and predicted that future
variants could spread easily if surveillance and testing systems are shelved.
Last week, the U.K. said COVID-19 had hit
record levels across the country, with government statistics estimating that
about 1 in 13 people were infected. Those figures came on the same day the
British government abandoned its free testing program.
Meanwhile, Chinese authorities conducted
more mass testing this week across Shanghai, which remains in lockdown
following another jump in infections; the city has recorded more than 90,000
cases but no deaths during the pandemic.
Despite growing public frustration and
concerns about economic effects, China says it is sticking to its hard-line
“zero-tolerance” approach mandating lockdowns, mass testing and the compulsory
isolation of all suspected cases and close contacts. Following a public uproar,
Shanghai authorities said Wednesday they would allow at least some parents to
stay with children infected with COVID-19, making an exception to a policy of
isolating anyone who tests positive.
0 comments:
Post a Comment