The World Health Organisation (WHO) has cautioned the public that despite going mostly unnoticed, the coronavirus disease is still a serious threat.
Nearly 10,000 COVID-19 deaths were recorded in December, according to the WHO, which also said that data from many sources indicated increased transmission during that month, driven by gatherings over the Christmas holiday and the JN.1 variety—which is currently the most frequently reported type worldwide.
“Although COVID-19 is no longer a global health emergency, the virus is still circulating, changing, and killing,” WHO chief Tedros Ghebreyesus said.
Reports have it that besides the near 10,000 deaths reported to the WHO last month, there were a 42 per cent increase in hospitalisations and a 62 per cent increase in intensive care unit admissions, compared with November.
However, the figures are based on data from less than 50 countries – mostly in Europe and the Americas, Tedros said.
“It is certain that there are also increases in other countries that are not being reported.
“Just as governments and individuals take precautions against other diseases, we must all continue to take precautions against COVID-19.
“Although 10,000 deaths a month is far less than the peak of the pandemic, this level of preventable death is not acceptable,” Tedros said, urging governments to maintain virus surveillance and sequencing and to ensure access to affordable and reliable tests, treatments and vaccines.
“And we continue to call on individuals to be vaccinated, to test, to wear masks where needed and to ensure crowded indoor spaces are well-ventilated,” he said.
