World Health Organization (WHO) Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the coronavirus pandemic is ‘long from over’.
“In January and February, the world saw six consecutive weeks of declining cases. We have now seen seven consecutive weeks of increasing cases, and four weeks of increasing deaths. Last week was the fourth-highest number of cases in a single week so far,” Tedros said during the briefing.
“Make no mistake, vaccines are a vital and powerful tool. But they are not the only tool. We say this day after day, week after week. And we will keep saying it. Physical distancing works. Masks work. Hand hygiene works. Ventilation works. Surveillance, testing, contact tracing, isolation, supportive quarantine, and compassionate care – they all work to stop infections and save lives,” he added.
Media briefing on #COVID19 with @DrTedros https://t.co/Aygj4iujIr
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) April 12, 2021
He again emphasied the public health measures of wearing masks, maintaining social distancing, testing, contact tracing, tracking, and isolation.
He added, “But confusion, complacency, and inconsistency in public health measures and their application are driving transmission and costing lives.”
While citing “many countries around the world” have shown that this virus can be stopped and contained with proven public health measures and strong systems that respond rapidly and consistently, Tedros said that the g-al body “does not warrant endless lockdowns”.
