Gom Mirian
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has reported increased transmission of COVID-19 in December, fueled by large gatherings during the yuletide.
Speaking at a virtual meeting, the Director-General of the World Body, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, said the most commonly reported variant globally is the JN.1 variant.
Ghebreyesus emphasised that although COVID-19 is no longer a global health emergency, the virus is still circulating, changing, and causing deaths.
The reported data, mostly from Europe and the Americas, revealed almost 10,000 deaths from COVID-19 in December, along with significant increases in hospitalizations and ICU admissions compared to November.
Ghebreyesus called on governments to maintain surveillance and sequencing, ensure access to tests, treatments, and vaccines and urged individuals to get vaccinated, wear masks, and ensure well-ventilated indoor spaces.
He said: “WHO will release its Health Emergency Appeal for 2024 on Jan. 15, aiming to protect the health of the most vulnerable people in 41 emergencies globally.
“Despite many challenges, I remain an optimist,” he said. “WHO remains committed to doing everything it can to promote, provide and protect the health of the world’s people, this year and every year.”
