World Health Organisation Director General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus has said that number of weekly Covid reported deaths may have dropped by more than 80% since February, but last week one person died every 44 seconds, claimed those deaths are avoidable.
Ghebreyesus who made this known during Press Briefing on Wednesday, said the global decline in reported cases and deaths is continuing, stating that this is very encouraging. “But there is no guarantee these trends will persist while it’s most dangerous to assume it will”.
He said the world might be tired of hearing him saying Covid pandemic is not over. “But I will keep saying it until it is. This virus will not just fade away. We understand that many governments are dealing with multiple challenges and competing priorities.
“To support them, WHO will next week publish a set of 6 short policy briefs, outlining the essential actions that all governments can take to reduce COVID19 transmission”.
The DG said the briefs will cover essential elements of testing, clinical management, vaccination, infection prevention, control, risk communication and community engagement, and managing the infodemic.
“We hope countries will use these briefs to reassess and readjust their policies to protect those most at risk, treat those who need it and save lives”, Ghebreyesus said
The DG stated further that the COVID19 pandemic is always evolving, and so must the response, in every country.
“Even as we continue to respond to the pandemic, work is progressing to put in place the measures to keep the world safer from future epidemics and pandemics.
He recalled that November last year, WHO’s member States made the historic decision to negotiate a new international Pandemic Accord. “Just as countries have come together before to agree treaties on threats posed by tobacco, nuclear weapons and climate change.
“Now countries are coming together to agree on a common approach to the common threat of epidemics and pandemics. The final outcome will be a legal instrument negotiated by sovereign states and implemented by sovereign states, in accordance with their own laws”.
Adding that this is not a discussion for governments alone. “Pandemics threaten every single person on earth, so it’s important that everyone can have their say on what this landmark international agreement looks like.
“To enable that to happen, WHO is holding public hearings to give as many people as possible the opportunity to have input into the negotiating process. The 1st round of public hearings was in April and the 2nd round will be held later this month”, he said.
The DG invited everyone to have their say, by submitting a video statement between the 9-15 Sept, responding to this question: “Based on your experience with COVID19, what do you believe should be addressed at the international. level to better protect against future pandemics.”