Copenhagen [Denmark], October 10: The UN World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Wednesday that humanity's "collective amnesia" about the gravity of the COVID-19 pandemic "should not prevent us from protecting ourselves and our loved ones from the ongoing spread of respiratory diseases".
According to a UN News press release, coronaviruses like COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) "must be taken seriously" as they are particularly dangerous for at-risk groups including the elderly, pregnant women and people suffering from existing or chronic illness, WHO Europe insisted, as it launched a region-wide protection campaign.
"Collective amnesia on COVID-19 has set in and this is concerning," said WHO Regional Director for Europe, Dr Hans Kluge. "Individuals, communities, and countries understandably want to move on from the trauma of the pandemic years. Yet COVID-19 is still very much with us, co-circulating with other respiratory viruses."
The WHO official noted that 53 countries across Europe and Central Asia still experience up to 72,000 deaths from seasonal influenza, accounting for approximately 20 per cent of the global burden. "The vast majority of these deaths can be prevented," he said, adding that the most vulnerable "must be protected" by vaccine immunisation, which is proven to prevent illness and severe outcomes.
In the 28 days to 22nd September, health authorities in WHO's European region reported just over 278,000 COVID-19 cases and 748 deaths, from Cyprus to Moldova and from Ireland to Russia. Those numbers are higher than any other WHO region and are likely underestimates, the UN health agency said.
According to WHO data, COVID-19 has killed more than seven million people since the outbreak began in late 2019, with most deaths reported in the United States (1.2 million), Brazil (702,000), India (534,000) and Russia (403,000).
Source: Emirates News Agency