According to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University, the coronavirus has so far infected 8.5 million people worldwide and killed at least 4,54,359.
Geneva| The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Friday said Coronavirus pandemic has entered a “new and dangerous phase” as daily Covid-19 cases hit record highs.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom, during a press conference from the agency’s Geneva headquarters, said the number of new cases reported Thursday “were the most in a single day so far” at 150,000.
Tedros said that almost half of the cases were reported from the Americas, while large numbers coming from Southern Asia and the Middle East.
“Many people are understandably fed up with being at home. Countries are understandably eager to open up their societies and economies. But the virus is still spreading fast. It is still deadly and most people are still susceptible,” Tedros said.
According to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University, the coronavirus has so far infected 8.5 million people worldwide and killed at least 4,54,359.
The WHO Chief advised world leaders and the public to “exercise extreme vigilance” against the virus, stressing to “focus on the basics.”
“Continue maintaining your distance from others. Stay home if you feel sick. Keep covering your nose and mouth when you cough. Wear a mask when appropriate. Keep cleaning your hands,” Tedros added.
“Covid-19 has demonstrated that no one is safe until we are all safe,” he said, adding, “Only by putting politics aside and working in true collaboration can we make a difference.”
He also expressed his belief that the world will “overcome” the pandemic and be better prepared for a future crisis. He also said that WHO is concerned about the situation in low and middle-income countries.
The WHO chief stressed that finding a safe and effective vaccine will be a “very difficult journey,” considering that scientists have never produced a successful vaccine for a coronavirus.
“There is no known vaccine against any coronavirus so far. “If a vaccine is discovered, this will be the first vaccine for coronavirus,” he added.
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