UNITED NATIONS, The head of the UN health agency expressed concern on Friday over the coronavirus\u2019 delta variant, which he called \u201cthe most transmissible\u201d mutation to date.<\/p>\n
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World health Organization (WHO) told journalists at a regular briefing in Geneva that delta has been identified in at least 85 countries and is \u201cspreading rapidly among unvaccinated populations\u201d.
\nThe Delta variant was first identified in India in April.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs some countries ease public health and social measures, we are starting to see increases in transmission around the world\u201d, Tedros said.<\/p>\n
A surge in cases translates to more hospitalizations, which continue to stretch healthcare workers and health systems while putting more at risk of death, according to the WHO chief.<\/p>\n
He acknowledged that new variants are expected, saying \u201cthat\u2019s what viruses do, they evolve\u201d and stressed that by preventing transmission, we can stem the emergence of variants.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s quite simple: more transmission, more variants. Less transmission, less variants\u201d, Tedros spelled out, upholding that it is even more urgent today to prevent transmission by consistently using public health and social measures along with vaccines.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is why WHO has been saying for at least a year that vaccines must be distributed equitably, to protect health workers and the most vulnerable\u201d, he said.<\/p>\n
Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO Technical Lead on COVID-19, said, \u201cthe world situation is very fragile\u201d and \u201ccountries must be cautious\u201d.<\/p>\n
Noting that Delta has proved \u201cextremely contagious in any country it reaches\u201d, she cautioned that it is being transmitted among unvaccinated people, \u201ceven in countries with high percentages of immunization\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe delta variant can make the epidemic curve exponentially\u201d, added Dr. Van Kerkhove.
\nBut Delta is not the only worrying mutation. According to the WHO expert, \u201cthere is a constellation of variants circulating\u201d, including subvariants, four of which are very worrying.<\/p>\n
\u201cVaccines and treatments work, but these viruses can evolve\u201d, she said, and the existing shots \u201cmay not work\u201d over time, emphasizing again that to minimize outbreaks, everyone must continue to maintain public health measures.<\/p>\n
One of the most important ways WHO coordinates the response to COVID-19 and other emergencies is through its global network of emergency medical teams (EMTs).<\/p>\n
When crises strike, WHO mobilizes these health professionals to support national responses, treat patients, provide training and supervision, and ensure quality-care standards.<\/p>\n
\u201cGlobally, WHO has certified teams from 20 countries, who have gone through a rigorous process of quality assurance to ensure they meet internationally agreed standards\u201d, Tedros said, adding that another 87 countries are either in the process of being WHO certified, or are developing quality-assurance systems nationally.<\/p>\n
Since the beginning of the pandemic, he said that WHO has helped deploy over 108 international EMTs and experts worldwide.<\/p>\n
Last week, WHO and partners published new EMT deployment standards for a range of situations, \u201cfrom natural disasters to epidemics and conflict situations\u201d, the UN agency chief said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis represents a major step forward in ensuring emergency medical teams meet shared standards for quality of care, whether they are deployed nationally or internationally\u201d, he said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
UNITED NATIONS, The head of the UN health agency expressed concern on Friday over the coronavirus\u2019 delta variant, which he called \u201cthe most transmissible\u201d mutation to date. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World health Organization (WHO) told journalists at a regular briefing in […]<\/p>\n
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