World needs to keep a watch on fresh cases

Globally, there are now more than 22 million cases of COVID-19, and 780,000 deaths. The number of people requiring hospitalisation remains high.

With several countries experiencing fresh COVID-19 outbreaks after periods of little or no transmission, the UN World Health Organisation (WHO) has correctly highlighted the need for authorities to be able to move quickly to prevent further spread of the disease.

These nations provide a cautionary tale because they show how progress does not mean victory, as WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus points out in his latest update on the crisis.

The WHO chief’s prediction that the COVID-19 pandemic will be defeated in under two years, or less time than it took to end the Spanish Flu pandemic, through global solidarity and the use of vaccines, does raise some hopes, but there is still clearly a long way to go.

The 1918 influenza pandemic lasted from February 1918 to April 1920.

While the “disadvantage” of globalisation certainly means the new coronavirus can spread faster, people today have the advantage of technology and knowledge.

During these challenging times, children deserve special attention.

It is good that WHO and the UN Children’s Fund, UNICEF, are set to issue guidance on the use of masks by children.

The UN agencies will provide advice for public health officials, child health professionals, educators and others about making the decision on where and when masks should be worn.

As per Dr. Maria van Kerkhove, an epidemiologist and WHO lead on COVID-19, research continues into how the disease affects children as understanding about virus transmission among this population is limited.

Although children of all ages can be infected, the majority tend to develop mild disease. However, children have developed severe disease, and some have even died.

In his remarks online to the World Conference of Speakers of Parliament, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres pointed out that COVID-19 was highlighting the challenges plaguing societies and had exposed some major systemic fragilities.

‘Even before the virus, our societies were on shaky footing, with rising inequalities, worsening degradation of the environment, shrinking civic space, inadequate public health and untenable social frictions rooted in governance failures and a lack of opportunities,’ as he mentioned.

 All eyes around the world are on a likely vaccine that can help end the pandemic.

But Dr Tedros has a word of caution: “A vaccine will be a vital tool, and we hope that we will have one as soon as possible. But there’s no guarantee that we will, and even if we do have a vaccine, it won’t end the pandemic on its own.”

In his words: “So, we hope to finish this pandemic before less than two years, especially if we can pool our efforts together, and with national unity, global solidarity – that’s really key – with utilising the available tools to the maximum and hoping that we can have additional tools like vaccines, I think we can finish it in a shorter time than the 1918 flu.”

The unrelenting rise in cases in many countries across the globe is a matter of concern. There is absolutely no scope for laxity on the part of any individual when it comes to taking precautionary measures against the pandemic. 

All members of the society should cooperate with health authorities, adhere to the instructions and maintain physical distance to ensure the health and safety of all.