Close X
Friday, November 29, 2024
ADVT 
International

Omicron causing hospitalisations, deaths worldwide: WHO

Darpan News Desk IANS, 19 Jan, 2022 12:45 PM
  • Omicron causing hospitalisations, deaths worldwide: WHO

New Delhi, Jan 19 (IANS) In a fresh warning, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has said that Omicron variant of the coronavirus is causing hospitalisations and deaths the world over, and the narrative that it is a mild disease is misleading.

Amid an ongoing resurgence across the world, the global coronavirus caseload has topped 333.5 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 5.55 million and vaccinations to over 9.68 billion, according to Johns Hopkins University.

"Make no mistake, Omicron is causing hospitalisations and deaths, and even the less severe cases are inundating health facilities," the WHO chief said late on Tuesday.

"Omicron may be less severe, on average, but the narrative that it is a mild disease is misleading, hurts the overall response and costs more lives," he added.

India on Wednesday reported 2,82,970 fresh Covid cases in the last 24 hours, which is a rise of over 18 per cent from the previous day's count.

According to Tedros, Covid is circulating far too intensely with many still vulnerable.

"For many countries, the next few weeks remain really critical for health systems. I urge everyone to do their best to reduce risk of infection so that you can help take pressure off the system," he emphasised.

Tedros said that we can still significantly reduce the impact of the current wave by sharing and using health tools effectively and implementing public health and social measures that we know work.

"Every variant of the COVID-19 virus, including Omicron, is dangerous and can cause: severe disease, death, further virus mutations and jeopardise the effectiveness of the tools we have to fight it," said the WHO.

 

 

 

MORE International ARTICLES

More evidence suggests COVID-19 was in US by Christmas 2019

More evidence suggests COVID-19 was in US by Christmas 2019
A new analysis of blood samples from 24,000 Americans taken early last year is the latest and largest study to suggest that the new coronavirus popped up in the U.S. in December 2019 — weeks before cases were first recognized by health officials.

More evidence suggests COVID-19 was in US by Christmas 2019

UK records highest virus cases since February

UK records highest virus cases since February
The U.K. has recorded its highest coronavirus infections since late February, the majority from the delta variant first identified in India.    

UK records highest virus cases since February

Pakistan to spend $1.1B on shots for adults

Pakistan to spend $1.1B on shots for adults
Pakistan will spend $1.1 billion in the next fiscal year to import COVID-19 vaccines to inoculate most of the 100 million adult population.

Pakistan to spend $1.1B on shots for adults

Police: Third victim dies in Miami banquet hall shooting

Police: Third victim dies in Miami banquet hall shooting
Shankquia Peterson, 32, died on Thursday afternoon, Miami-Dade police said in a news release. She was among the 23 people shot early Sunday during a rapper’s album release party at the El Mula Banquet Hall. Two of the victims remained in critical condition at a hospital, police said.

Police: Third victim dies in Miami banquet hall shooting

Biden offers vaccines for global sharing program

Biden offers vaccines for global sharing program
President Joe Biden plans to share COVID-19 vaccines with the world, including directing 75% of excess doses through the UN-backed COVAX global vaccine sharing program.    

Biden offers vaccines for global sharing program

Jill Biden getting Delaware beach day for her 70th birthday

Jill Biden getting Delaware beach day for her 70th birthday
President Joe Biden and his wife were heading to their Delaware beach house Wednesday evening to help the first lady celebrate that personal milestone on Thursday.

Jill Biden getting Delaware beach day for her 70th birthday