WHO: We are concerned about the increase in coronavirus cases in China

Speaking at the last press conference of 2022 at the organization’s headquarters in Geneva, Ghebreyesus said that Covid-19, which has reached its third year, monkeypox (Mpox) worldwide, Ebola in Uganda, the cholera epidemic that continues to affect many countries, floods in Pakistan, drought in Africa and spoke about floods and other problems that negatively affect health.

Pointing out that there are many reasons to be hopeful for the future, Ghebreyesus said: “There has been a major decline in the Covid-19 epidemic this year. The global Mpox epidemic is declining and there have been no new Ebola cases in Uganda for more than 3 weeks. In the early days of the Omicron wave, we are much better off than a year ago when we faced a rapid increase in cases and deaths. After covid-19 cases peaked at the end of January, there was a 90 percent decrease in covid-19 deaths announced weekly.” he used the phrases.

“THERE IS A LOT OF UNCERTAINTY AND GAP ABOUT COVID-19”

Pointing out that there is still too much uncertainty and gap to say “the epidemic is over,” Ghebreyesus said the gaps in surveillance, testing and sequencing mean they don’t understand enough how the virus has changed.

Ghebreyesus said: “Vaccinations in vaccination mean that millions of people, especially healthcare workers and the elderly, are at risk of becoming seriously ill and dying. Treatment gaps cause people to die needlessly. The gaps in the health system are causing it to be unable to cope with the increase in Covid-19, the flu and other diseases.” he said.

Regarding Covid-19 cases, which have risen again in China in recent months, Ghebreyesus said: “As the WHO, we are concerned about the increase in cases of this serious disease.” he said he.

Ghebreyesus reiterated his call on the Chinese government to “share data and continue to investigate the cases” so that a comprehensive assessment of the current situation can be made.

MEASURES TO TAKE BEFORE FUTURE PERSPECTIVES

WHO Director-General Ghebreyesus noted that in 2022, WHO took important steps to prevent new epidemics and better combat them: “We have created a new Epidemic Fund. In addition, we have built an mRNA Technology Transfer Center in South Africa to enable low-income countries to produce vaccines using mRNA technology.” he said.

Recalling that the world is struggling with various epidemics as well as Covid-19 this year, Ghebreyesus had the following to say about the monkeypox (Mpox) virus:

“In July, I declared Mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). There have been 83,000 cases and 66 deaths in 110 countries so far. Like Covid-19, Mpox cases have dropped by 90 percent since the day it peaked. I am hopeful that if the current trend continues, we will stop describing Mpox as an emergency next year.”

EBOLA IN UGANDA MAY END ON JANUARY 11

Announcing that the Ebola virus, which has resurfaced in Uganda, has also been brought under control, Ghebreyesus said: “No new cases have been seen since November 27. If no cases arise, we will announce the end of the epidemic from January 11 “. He used the phrase.

Ghebreyesus pointed out that the fight against the cholera epidemic continues in 30 countries and affirmed that this year there were 310 deaths from cholera in Haiti, where the epidemic has had the greatest impact and no cases have been registered in the last 3 years.

Emphasizing that they will continue to deliver health kits and vaccine aid to Haiti, Ghebreyesus reported that last week they sent 1.2 million doses of oral cholera vaccine to the region.

Ghebreyesus said that according to WHO data, more than 1,000 attacks on health facilities were carried out in 16 countries in 2022, and 220 people lost their lives in these attacks. (AA)