The World Health Organization warns of an increase in coronavirus cases since December and calls for prevention

Global Health Organization (from) warned this Wednesday that in December there was 42% increase in global hospital admissions due to coronavirus and 68% increase in ICU admissionsHe called for preventive measures to be taken against the disease, which “although it no longer represents an international emergency, continues to spread, mutate and kill.”

“Due to meetings during the holidays and the JN.1 strain, which is already the most common, Covid caused the deaths of nearly 10,000 people in December,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.

He added: “Although this number is far from those reached during the peak of the epidemic, it is an unacceptable number of avoidable deaths, which is why we ask governments to be vigilant.”

In this sense, Tedros pointed out Current numbers on cases of infection with the virus are from only fifty countries, most of which are European and American.So cases are likely to be much higher, so he called for the establishment of more national laboratories to sequence virus samples to monitor possible changes in its composition.

The head of the World Health Organization also called on governments to continue facilitating access to tests, treatments and vaccines, and urged citizens to get vaccinated if they belong to at-risk groups, as well as “wear a mask when necessary and make sure indoor spaces are clean.” Good ventilation.

Flu positivity 'rose dramatically'

For his part, Executive Director of the Health Emergencies Program at the World Health Organization, Michael Ryan, confirmed that “the sample positivity rate rose very sharply in the past month, which means that transmission of infection is occurring very intensively throughout Europe,” although he pointed out that “Current flu patterns are very similar to last year’s patterns.” “They follow a somewhat similar path.”

However, he also stressed that “current vaccines are very effective in reducing hospitalizations due to influenza.” “Vaccines may not prevent you from getting infected, but they sure do Reduce hospital admissions. If you have not been vaccinated and live in the Northern Hemisphere, get vaccinated,” Ryan explained during the WHO press conference held on Wednesday, January 10.

For her part, the leader of epidemic and pandemic preparedness and prevention, Maria Van Kerkhove, highlighted Widespread increase in cases of respiratory infections worldwide “Because of influenza, COVID-19, adenovirus, rhinovirus, pediatric respiratory syncytial virus, etc.” “This year, especially in the Northern Hemisphere, we are seeing the co-circulation of many different types of pathogens. This is causing a significant increase in burden and hospitalizations, not only for COVID-19 and influenza, but also for other conditions.” Pathogens,” said the expert.