The World Health Organization (WHO) does not expect the coronavirus pandemic to end this year. The idea that the virus can be completed by the end of the year is „premature and unrealistic,“ said WHO emergency director Michael Ryan in Geneva. The virus will keep control.
However, vaccinations could reduce hospitalizations and deaths. After six weeks with a downward trend, there is now an increase again, said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Apart from Africa and the region in the western Pacific, an upward trend can be observed everywhere. „That is disappointing, but not surprising.“
The causes could be the loosening and the more contagious variants of the virus – „and that people are becoming less careful,“ said Tedros. The WHO chief urged the international community not to rely on vaccinations alone. Basic hygiene rules are still the foundation of fighting pandemics.
Vaccination start in poorer countries
It is gratifying that the vaccination of medical personnel has finally started in poorer countries, for example in Ghana and the Ivory Coast. By the end of May, the WHO expects that 237 million doses of vaccine will be available for distribution in 142 poorer countries. Tedros added: „It is unfortunate that this is happening almost three months after vaccination starts in some particularly rich countries.“
