WHO Issues Warning About COVID-19: Countries Should Not ‘Pretend the Pandemic Is Over’
The World Health Organization (WHO) is warning against a false sense of security and pretending the coronavirus pandemic is already over. The agency held a virtual briefing on Monday to discuss the ongoing spread of the…
The World Health Organization (WHO) is warning against a false sense of security and pretending the coronavirus pandemic is already over.
The agency held a virtual briefing on Monday to discuss the ongoing spread of the Coronavirus Outbreak. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stressed the importance of countries focusing on data and statistics to determine whether or not they should reopen.
He made it clear that countries with high infection rates and confirmed cases should refrain from opening.
“The more control countries have over the virus, the more they can open up. Opening up without having control is a recipe for disaster,” he said during the briefing.
According to Tedros, it is imperative that no country “just pretend the pandemic is over.”
He also said, “No country can just pretend the pandemic is over.”
See the full briefing below:
Tedros also noted that countries focused on reopening should place the same level of emphasis on “suppressing transmission” of the coronavirus. He acknowledged how difficult such a feat is but also made it clear that it can be done.