‘Untimely, unrealistic’ to suppose Covid pandemic can be stopped via finish of 2021: WHO

A senior Global Well being Group reputable mentioned Monday it was once “untimely” and “unrealistic” to suppose the pandemic may well be stopped via the top of the yr, however that the new arrival of efficient vaccines may a minimum of lend a hand dramatically cut back hospitalizations and dying.

The arena’s singular center of attention at the moment must be to stay transmission of Covid-19 as little as conceivable, mentioned Dr Michael Ryan, director of WHO’s emergencies program.

“If we are good, we will end with the hospitalizations and the deaths and the tragedy related to this pandemic” via the top of the yr, he mentioned at media briefing.

Ryan mentioned WHO was once reassured via rising knowledge that lots of the authorized vaccines seem to be serving to curb the virus’ explosive unfold.

“If the vaccines start to affect no longer best on dying and no longer best on hospitalization, however have an important affect on transmission dynamics and transmission menace, then I imagine we can boost up towards controlling this pandemic.”

However Ryan warned in opposition to complacency, announcing that not anything was once assured in an evolving epidemic.

“Presently the virus could be very a lot in keep watch over,” he mentioned.

WHO’s director-general, in the meantime, mentioned it was once “regrettable” that more youthful and more healthy adults in some wealthy international locations are being vaccinated in opposition to the coronavirus sooner than at-risk well being employees in creating international locations.

Media briefing on #COVID19 with @DrTedros https://t.co/b7twPwxt4d

— Global Well being Group (WHO) (@WHO) March 1, 2021

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus mentioned immunizations equipped via the UN-backed effort COVAX started this week in Ghana and the Ivory Coast, however lamented that this was once going down best 3 months after international locations corresponding to Britain, the United States and Canada started vaccinating their very own populations.

“International locations don’t seem to be in a race with each and every different,” he mentioned. “It is a commonplace race in opposition to the virus. We don’t seem to be asking international locations to position their very own folks in danger. We’re asking all international locations to be a part of an international effort to suppress the virus in every single place.”

However WHO stopped in need of criticizing international locations who’re shifting to vaccinate more youthful and more healthy populations as a substitute of donating their doses to international locations that have not but been ready to offer protection to their maximum prone folks.

“We will’t inform person international locations what to do,” mentioned Dr Bruce Aylward, a senior WHO adviser.

Tedros additionally famous that for the primary time in seven weeks, the selection of Covid-19 circumstances greater ultimate week, after six consecutive weeks of declining numbers. He described the rise as “disappointing,” however mentioned it wasn’t unexpected.

Tedros mentioned WHO was once operating to higher perceive why circumstances greater, however that a part of that spike gave the impression to be because of the “enjoyable of public well being measures.”