Focus

WHO says Covid-19 mortality dropped 90 pct since February

10 Nov 2022 02:38pm
Image for illustrative purposes only - FILE PIX
Image for illustrative purposes only - FILE PIX
MOSCOW - Deaths caused by Covid-19 globally have decreased by almost 90 per cent compared with February, although the rates of testing and vaccination remain low, Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.

"Just over 9,400 Covid-19 deaths were reported to WHO last week. Almost 90 per cent less than in February of this year, when weekly deaths topped 75,000," Tedros said at a press briefing on Wednesday.

He added that the international community had achieved some success in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic and lower mortality rates are naturally "cause for optimism," but there is still much more space for improvement, so governments and individuals should remain vigilant.

"Testing and sequencing rates remain low globally, vaccination gaps remain wide, and the continued proliferation of new variants remain concerning. WHO continue to urge caution, and we continue to urge everyone to be fully vaccinated," the WHO chief said.

As of Nov 9, there have been a total of 630 million WHO-confirmed Covid-19 cases globally, including 6.5 million deaths. - BERNAMA

Covid 19
WHO
mortality
testing
vaccination
worldwide
More Like This
US President-elect Donald Trump on Sunday suggested that he may allow TikTok to continue operations in the United States. - Photo: XINHUA
US President-elect Donald Trump on Sunday suggested that he may allow TikTok to continue operations in the United States. - Photo: XINHUA
World Trump says may keep TikTok around 'for a little while'
The nation's top court is set to hear arguments on Jan 10 regarding whether the law unconstitutionally limits freedom of speech, in breach of the First Amendment.
Police officers stand guards during an anti-Yoon Suk Yeol public activity, as the South Korean President is expected to face impeachment following his declaration of an emergency martial law, in Seoul, South Korea, on 04 December, 2024. - Anadolu Agency file photo
Police officers stand guards during an anti-Yoon Suk Yeol public activity, as the South Korean President is expected to face impeachment following his declaration of an emergency martial law, in Seoul, South Korea, on 04 December, 2024. - Anadolu Agency file photo
World Police analysing Yoon's phone records in martial law probe
Police are also working to obtain a secure phone used by Yoon and its records from the Presidential Security Service.
Photo for illustrative purposes only - Canva
Photo for illustrative purposes only - Canva
World Health warning issued over flesh-eating ulcer in Southeast Australian state
The Department of Health in Victoria on Friday said that cases of Buruli ulcer are spreading across the state, including in inner Melbourne.
Donald Trump's transition team is pushing to pull the United States out of the WHO on the first day of the new administration, according to experts who warn of the "catastrophic" impact it would have on global health, the Financial Times reported. - Photo: XINHUA
Donald Trump's transition team is pushing to pull the United States out of the WHO on the first day of the new administration, according to experts who warn of the "catastrophic" impact it would have on global health, the Financial Times reported. - Photo: XINHUA
World US withdrawal from WHO would be 'catastrophic' - Expert
Members of Trump's team told experts of their intention to announce withdrawal from the global health body on the president-elect's Jan 20 inauguration, noting that the departure would remove WHO's biggest source of funds, damaging its ability to respond to public health crises such...