More than 10.3 million cases of COVID-19 have now been reported to WHO, and more than 506,000 deaths. For the past week, the number of new cases has exceeded 160,000 on every single day and 60% of all cases so far have been reported just in the past month.
These details were revealed by Dr Tedros Adhanom, Director General of the World Health Organization.
“We will never get tired of saying that the best way out of this pandemic is to take a comprehensive approach. Find, isolate, test and care for every case, trace and quarantine every contact, equip and train health workers and educate and empower communities to protect themselves and others. Not testing alone. Not physical distancing alone. Not contact tracing alone. Not masks alone. Do it all,” Tedros said.
He noted that countries that have adopted this comprehensive approach have suppressed transmission and saved lives.
“Flare-ups are to be expected as countries start to lift restrictions. But countries that have the systems in place to apply a comprehensive approach should be able to contain these flare-ups locally and avoid reintroducing widespread restrictions. However, we are concerned that some countries have not used all the tools at their disposal and have taken a fragmented approach. These countries face a long, hard road ahead,” the WHO DG said.
No matter what situation a country is in, WHO noted that it can be turned around. It’s never too late, Tedros said.
“As you know, in March, Italy and Spain were the epicenter of the pandemic. At the peak of its epidemic, Spain had almost 10,000 cases a day, and Italy had more than 6,500 cases. But both countries brought their epidemics under control with a combination of leadership, humility, active participation by every member of society, and implementing a comprehensive approach. Both countries faced a daunting situation, but turned it around,” Tedros said.
“The fastest way out of this pandemic is to follow the science and do what we know works: the comprehensive approach.”
While describing the COVID-19 pandemic as a scientific challenge, Tedros added that it is also a test of character and actions must be taken in the interests of global solidarity and shared humanity.
“We have a shared responsibility to ensure that all people have access to the tools to protect themselves, especially those who are most at risk,” Tedros said.
