The head of the World Health Organisation says it is dangerous to assume the Omicron variant will herald the end of Covid-19’s acutest phase
24 January 2022 - 16:47
byEmma Farge and Mrinalika Roy
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Geneva — The head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) warned on Monday that it was dangerous to assume the Omicron variant would herald the end of Covid-19’s acutest phase, exhorting nations to stay focused to beat the pandemic.
“It’s dangerous to assume that Omicron will be the last variant and that we are in the end game,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a WHO executive board meeting of the two-year pandemic that has killed nearly 6-million people.
“On the contrary, globally the conditions are ideal for more variants to emerge.”
Though Omicron has sent total cases soaring to nearly 350-million, its less lethal impact and the increasing prevalence of vaccines has led to optimism in some parts that the worst of the pandemic may have passed.
Tedros, the WHO’s first African head who is running unopposed for a second term , urged discipline and unity in combating the coronavirus.
“TheCovid-19 pandemic is now entering its third year and we are at a critical juncture,” he told a news conference earlier. “We must work together to bring the acute phase of this pandemic to an end. We cannot let it continue to drag on, lurching between panic and neglect.”
Germany biggest donor
Countries must maximise strategies and tools already available, such as testing and inoculation, for the global health emergency to end this year, he said.
Tedros’ bid for a second term received a boost when the WHO shelved a decision on his native Ethiopia’s request to investigate accusations of links to rebel forces.
He told board members he was seeking an overhaul of the agency’s funding model, with Germany now the largest donor, supplanting Washington which had accused the WHO of pro-China bias under former President Donald Trump’s administration.
The US is resisting a financing proposal that would make the UN health body more independent, raising doubts about the Biden administration’s long-term support.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
WHO warns Omicron is not the last variant
The head of the World Health Organisation says it is dangerous to assume the Omicron variant will herald the end of Covid-19’s acutest phase
Geneva — The head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) warned on Monday that it was dangerous to assume the Omicron variant would herald the end of Covid-19’s acutest phase, exhorting nations to stay focused to beat the pandemic.
“It’s dangerous to assume that Omicron will be the last variant and that we are in the end game,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a WHO executive board meeting of the two-year pandemic that has killed nearly 6-million people.
“On the contrary, globally the conditions are ideal for more variants to emerge.”
Though Omicron has sent total cases soaring to nearly 350-million, its less lethal impact and the increasing prevalence of vaccines has led to optimism in some parts that the worst of the pandemic may have passed.
Tedros, the WHO’s first African head who is running unopposed for a second term , urged discipline and unity in combating the coronavirus.
“TheCovid-19 pandemic is now entering its third year and we are at a critical juncture,” he told a news conference earlier. “We must work together to bring the acute phase of this pandemic to an end. We cannot let it continue to drag on, lurching between panic and neglect.”
Germany biggest donor
Countries must maximise strategies and tools already available, such as testing and inoculation, for the global health emergency to end this year, he said.
Tedros’ bid for a second term received a boost when the WHO shelved a decision on his native Ethiopia’s request to investigate accusations of links to rebel forces.
He told board members he was seeking an overhaul of the agency’s funding model, with Germany now the largest donor, supplanting Washington which had accused the WHO of pro-China bias under former President Donald Trump’s administration.
The US is resisting a financing proposal that would make the UN health body more independent, raising doubts about the Biden administration’s long-term support.
Reuters
US jobless claims rise to three-month high as Omicron stokes layoffs
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most Read
Related Articles
Commission for Gender Equality slammed for views on Covid-19 vaccination
Vaccine equity a must to end pandemic, WHO tells online Davos meeting
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.