The World Health Organization or WHO says the coronavirus pandemic is in a “new and dangerous phase" as daily numbers hit record highs.
The number of Covid-19 cases reported on Thursday “were the most in a single day so far” at 150,000, according to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Half of the coronavirus cases were identified in the Americas, Tedros said during a press conference from the agency’s Geneva headquarters. Meanwhile, a huge number comes from Southern Asia and the Middle East.
“Many people are understandably fed up with being at home. Countries are understandably eager to open up their societies and economies. But the virus is still spreading fast. It is still deadly and most people are still susceptible,” he said.
The coronavirus pandemic has infected over 8.5 million people around the world and led to at least 454,359 deaths, based on the data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.
The United States recorded the worst outbreak in the world. There are 2.1 million Americans who contracted the coronavirus, with at least 118,435 deaths, according to Hopkins data.
The seven-day average of new coronavirus cases in Thursday soared by more than 15% compared with a week ago.
Tedros noted that global leaders and the public must “exercise extreme vigilance” against the coronavirus, asking them to “focus on the basics.”
“Continue maintaining your distance from others. Stay home if you feel sick. Keep covering your nose and mouth when you cough. Wear a mask when appropriate. Keep cleaning your hands,” he said.
No business as usual
The WHO has been telling leaders that there can be “no going back to business as usual” after the coronavirus outbreak. The public health crisis severely damaged economies and affected many countries.
The health institution asked countries that they will need to remain in control of the outbreak as cases wane or decrease in some countries, while increasing in others and having a resurgence in areas where the Covid-19 pandemic seemed manageable.
Tedros believes that the world will “overcome” the crisis and be more prepared for another one. He noted that cases in low- and middle-income countries are WHO's main concern.
“Covid-19 has demonstrated that no one is safe until we are all safe,” he said. “Only by putting politics aside and working in true collaboration can we make a difference.”
Coronavirus vaccine
Scientists across the world are working on different vaccines. WHO says there are at least 141 vaccines in development. At least 13 of them are already holding clinical trials.
Tedros noted that producing a safe and effective vaccine will be a “very difficult journey,” adding that scientists have never come up with a successful vaccine yet for a coronavirus.
“There is no known vaccine against any coronavirus so far,” he said. “If a vaccine is discovered, this will be the first vaccine for coronavirus.”
Initial coronavirus vaccines may come with limitations, according to Robin Shattock, an Imperial College London professor leading development of an experimental shot.
“Is that protection against infection?” Shattock said. “Is it protection against illness? Is it protection against severe disease? It’s quite possible a vaccine that only protects against severe disease would be very useful.”
