Some are seemingly in a “false sense of security” that the COVID-19 pandemic is over, according to the head of the World Health Organization (WHO).
The World Health Organization (WHO) remains firm that the COVID-19 pandemic is not over yet. Although significant improvements have become apparent to many countries and regions, some areas are still seeing a surge in new cases.
On Wednesday, the global health agency had another update before the public. Its head, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus provided some advice to all individuals, regardless of their vaccination status.
CNBC released a report, detailing what the agency chief had to say. This comes as Europe is facing another COVID-19 case surge, causing it to become the epicenter of the pandemic once more.
Practice COVID-19 mitigation tactics, WHO says
The Director General of WHO pointed out that COVID-19 vaccines, indeed, “save lives,” adding that they decrease the risk of death and severe disease. However, he noted that, despite completing the vaccination series, individuals can still contract and spread the virus.
This is why he is urging everyone to practice “mitigation tactics,” including mask-wearing and social distancing, as well as avoiding crowds and meeting others indoors. These apply to all individuals, even those that are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Dr. Tedros also claimed that some countries and communities are in a “false sense of security” that the COVID-19 crisis has already concluded. Moreover, individuals in these areas now seemingly believe that vaccinated people are “fully protected” against the virus.
The health official consequently stressed that everyone should continue “to take precautions” to avoid infection even after taking the vaccines. This is also to avoid “infecting someone else who could die.”
Europe becomes the epicenter of the pandemic, again
Regarding the COVID-19 situation in Europe, the continent had seen over 50 percent increase in new cases in the last month. WHO officials made this announcement earlier in November, according to WebMD.
At that time, there was a 6 percent increase in new cases from the week prior. It marked as the fifth consecutive week, wherein new infections have risen across Europe.
To date, this dynamic continues, and it is now also reportedly starting in the United States. The daily average of new COVID-19 cases has reached more than 95,000, per the data from Johns Hopkins University.
Vaccination status across the globe
Meanwhile, global vaccination status remains in an increasing trend. As of the time of writing, Our World In Data reports that over 53.5 percent of the total population has received at least a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
As for those who have already completed their jabs, the share has reached over 43 percent. This equates to 3.32 billion individuals across the globe.
In the end, however, WHO chief Dr. Tedros stated that “no country or region is out of the woods” just yet.
Images courtesy of World Health Organization (WHO)/YouTube