Almost 500 million people have been infected with the coronavirus since March 2020 and new variants are still a threat. This Friday marks two years since the World Health Organisation (WHO) characterised the global spread of COVID-19 as a pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The UN health agency\u2019s assessment was made six weeks after the virus was declared a global health emergency when there were fewer than 100 cases and no deaths outside China. Two years later, more than 6 million people have died.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Although reported cases and deaths are declining globally, and several countries have lifted restrictions, the pandemic is far from over \u2013 and it will not be over anywhere until it\u2019s over everywhere,” said WHO Director Tedros Adhanom Gebreyesus on Wednesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speaking to journalists in Geneva, Dr Tedros reminded the world that many countries in Asia and the Pacific are currently facing surges of cases and deaths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The virus continues to evolve, and we continue to face major obstacles in distributing vaccines, tests and treatments everywhere they are needed,” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The UN Secretary-General issued a statement on Wednesday supporting the WHO chief\u2019s assessment, that it would be \u2018a grave mistake\u2019 to think the virus was now in the rear-view mirror.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ant\u00f3nio Guterres reiterated that the distribution of vaccines remains “scandalously unequal”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Manufacturers are producing 1.5 billion doses per month, but nearly three billion people are still waiting for their first shot”, he highlighted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The UN chief blamed this “failure” on policy and budgetary decisions that prioritize the health of people in wealthy countries, over the health of people in poor countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“This is a moral indictment of our world. It is also a recipe for more variants, more lockdowns and more sorrow and sacrifice in every country. Our world cannot afford a two-tier recovery from COVID-19,” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mr. Guterres added that despite the numerous other global crises, the world must reach the goal of vaccinating 70 per cent of people in all countries by the middle of this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Science and solidarity have proven to be an unbeatable combination. We must re-dedicate ourselves to ending this pandemic for all people and all countries, and closing this sad chapter in humanity\u2019s history, once and for all,” he emphasised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The WHO\u2019s chief also expressed his concern over the \u2018drastic reduction\u2019 of testing in several countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“This inhibits our ability to see where the virus is, how it\u2019s spreading and how it\u2019s evolving,” he warned.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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