WHO says no return to normality for ‘foreseeable future’

The World Health Organization warns that there could be no return to normality any time soon, as too many countries have been bungling their response to the coronavirus pandemic.

In light of a daily record of 230,000 new cases of COVID-19 were reported to the WHO on Sunday, the UN health agency says that the pandemic is only going to get worse, unless people stick to the basics of physical distancing, handwashing, and wearing masks.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warns that countries that have been easing their way out of lockdowns are now witnessing a resurgence of the virus because they were not following proven methods to reduce risk.

“I want to be straight with you: there will be no return to the ‘old normal’ for the foreseeable future,” Tedros tells a virtual news briefing.

“Let me blunt: too many countries are headed in the wrong direction.”

“The virus remains public enemy number one, but the actions of many governments and people do not reflect this.”

He says mixed messages from leaders have been undermining trust.

If governments do not roll out a comprehensive strategy to suppress transmission of the virus, and if populations do not follow basic public health principles, “there is only one way this pandemic is going to go,” he says.

“It’s going to get worse and worse and worse.”

The novel coronavirus has killed nearly 570,000 people and infected more than 12.9 million since the outbreak emerged in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP.

“Although the number of daily deaths remains relatively stable, there is a lot to be concerned about,” says Tedros.

He says there were four scenarios playing out around the world.

They are: countries that were alert and avoided large outbreaks, those that got a major outbreak under control, those that eased restrictions and are now backsliding, and those that are in an intense transmission phase.

Tedros says the epicenter of the virus remains the Americas.

— AFP