AFP extension
ANNOUNCEMENTS•
The World Health Organization (WHO) is optimistic about the course of the corona pandemic, also in the rest of the world. CEO Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus hopes the corona will no longer be considered an “international emergency” next year. This qualification has been in effect for the virus since the end of January 2020.
Then it’s not quite finished with the crown. “The virus will stay,” Tedros said at a media briefing. He stressed that there are means to prevent serious consequences of the corona. It refers to vaccines, drugs and treatments.
WHO cannot declare a pandemic “over”. The term “international emergency” is primarily a means of coordinating international measures and raising funds for the development of treatments and vaccines.
Vaccinate and test more
Tedros has often expressed optimism about the progress of the coronavirus pandemic in recent months. In September, he said the world “has never been in a better position to end the pandemic”. He called on high-risk groups to keep vaccinating and to keep focusing on testing.
He repeated that call earlier this month. Under “Perfect conditions“The corona could again become a new worrying variant, warned the head of the WHO at the time, for example if fewer tests and fewer vaccinations.
Despite Tedros’ positive words, there are concerns. For example, the WHO has now emphasized once again that many more people need to be vaccinated. “If a large part of the population has not yet been vaccinated, the world still has a long way to go,” said Mike Ryan, a senior WHO official.
