The World Health Organization said on Wednesday that COVID-19 deaths had dropped by 95 per cent since the start of the year. "We're very encouraged by the sustained decline in reported deaths from COVID-19, which have dropped 95 per cent since the beginning of this year," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a press conference.

However, the WHO warned that the virus was still on the move and people will have to learn to live with it. It added that COVID-19 was here to stay and countries need to learn how to manage its ongoing non-emergency effects. This includes managing post-COVID-19 conditions, or Long Covid.

"However, some countries are seeing increases, and over the past four weeks, 14,000 people lost their lives to this disease. And, with the emergence of the new XBB.1.16 variant illustrates, the virus is still changing, and is still capable of causing new waves of disease and death."

Talking about the dominant variant across the world at this time, Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO's technical lead on Covid, said that XBB sub-lineages were now dominant worldwide.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-cases-reportedly-rising-in-china-a-matter-of-global-concern-586624">COVID-19 cases reportedly rising in China. A matter of global concern?</a>

The variant has increased transmissibility and is also showing an immune escape mechanism, thus reinfecting people despite being vaccinated or previously infected.

She said that increased testing is needed "so that we can monitor the virus itself and understand what each of these mutations means". That knowledge could feed into vaccine composition and inform decisions on handling the virus, she said.

Tedros once again said that the WHO was hopeful of declaring an end to COVID-19 as a public health emergency of international concern soon. The committee that advises him on the status of the virus is due to convene next month for its regular quarterly meeting.

"But this virus is here to stay, and all countries will need to learn to manage it alongside other infectious diseases," he added.

Tedros also spoke of Long Covid and said that an estimated one in 10 infections resulted in the prolonged effects of the virus, suggesting that hundreds of millions of people would need longer-term care.

The WHO chief also noted how the pandemic disrupted vaccination programmes, with an estimated 67 million children missing out on at least one essential jab between 2019 and 2021.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The World Health Organization said on Wednesday that COVID-19 deaths had dropped by 95 per cent since the start of the year. "We're very encouraged by the sustained decline in reported deaths from COVID-19, which have dropped 95 per cent since the beginning of this year," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a press conference.

The World Health Organization said on Wednesday that COVID-19 deaths had dropped by 95 per cent since the start of the year. "We're very encouraged by the sustained decline in reported deaths from COVID-19, which have dropped 95 per cent since the beginning of this year," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a press conference. However, the WHO warned that the virus was still on the move and people will have to learn to live with it. It added that COVID-19 was here to stay and countries need to learn how to manage its ongoing non-emergency effects. This includes managing post-COVID-19 conditions, or Long Covid. "However, some countries are seeing increases, and over the past four weeks, 14,000 people lost their lives to this disease. And, with the emergence of the new XBB.1.16 variant illustrates, the virus is still changing, and is still capable of causing new waves of disease and death." Talking about the dominant variant across the world at this time, Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO's technical lead on Covid, said that XBB sub-lineages were now dominant worldwide. Also Read | COVID-19 cases reportedly rising in China. A matter of global concern? The variant has increased transmissibility and is also showing an immune escape mechanism, thus reinfecting people despite being vaccinated or previously infected. She said that increased testing is needed "so that we can monitor the virus itself and understand what each of these mutations means". That knowledge could feed into vaccine composition and inform decisions on handling the virus, she said. Tedros once again said that the WHO was hopeful of declaring an end to COVID-19 as a public health emergency of international concern soon. The committee that advises him on the status of the virus is due to convene next month for its regular quarterly meeting. "But this virus is here to stay, and all countries will need to learn to manage it alongside other infectious diseases," he added. Tedros also spoke of Long Covid and said that an estimated one in 10 infections resulted in the prolonged effects of the virus, suggesting that hundreds of millions of people would need longer-term care. The WHO chief also noted how the pandemic disrupted vaccination programmes, with an estimated 67 million children missing out on at least one essential jab between 2019 and 2021. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

COVID-19 deaths have dropped by 95%, but virus is here to stay: WHO

Benjamin Cowling, an epidemiologist with the Hong Kong University said, the prediction by international disease experts of at least 1 million COVID-related deaths in China this year is 'quite possible', adding that the deaths could have been avoided should there be better preparation.

Expert says around one million deaths 'quite possible' in China due to Covid

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday said that the death count associated with the COVID-19 pandemic is actually three times more than the official toll attributed to the virus.

According to its estimates released on Thursday, the Covid virus has killed 13.3 million to 16.6 million people in excess in 2020 and 2021.

The WHO said that most of the excess deaths —84 per cent —were concentrated in southeast Asia, Europe and the Americas.

“New estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO) show that the full death toll associated directly or indirectly with #COVID19 pandemic (described as “excess mortality”) between 1 Jan 2020 and 31 Dec 2021 was approximately 14.9 million (range 13.3 million to 16.6 million),” the UN health agency said in a statement.

Describing it as “excess mortality”, the WHO put out the numbers by including those deaths caused by the Covid’s “knock-on effects”.

Watch |&nbsp;Cognitive abilities can decline due to severe covid: Reports

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Excess mortality is defined as the difference in the total number of deaths in a crisis compared to those expected under normal conditions.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-chief-warns-world-is-blind-to-how-covid-is-mutating-after-safrica-reports-two-new-omicron-variants-476547">WHO chief warns world is blind to how Covid is mutating, after S.Africa reports two new Omicron variants</a>

COVID-19 excess mortality accounts for both the total number of deaths directly attributed to the virus as well as the indirect impact, such as disruption to essential health services or travel disruptions.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/omicron-as-severe-as-previous-covid-variants-large-study-finds-476450" hreflang="en">Omicron as severe as previous Covid variants, large study finds</a>

“These sobering data not only point to the impact of the pandemic but also to the need for all countries to invest in more resilient health systems that can sustain essential health services during crises, including stronger health information systems," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.

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The World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday said that the death count associated with the COVID-19 pandemic is actually three times more than the official toll attributed to the virus.

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday said that the death count associated with the COVID-19 pandemic is actually three times more than the official toll attributed to the virus. According to its estimates released on Thursday, the Covid virus has killed 13.3 million to 16.6 million people in excess in 2020 and 2021. The WHO said that most of the excess deaths —84 per cent —were concentrated in southeast Asia, Europe and the Americas. “New estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO) show that the full death toll associated directly or indirectly with #COVID19 pandemic (described as “excess mortality”) between 1 Jan 2020 and 31 Dec 2021 was approximately 14.9 million (range 13.3 million to 16.6 million),” the UN health agency said in a statement. Describing it as “excess mortality”, the WHO put out the numbers by including those deaths caused by the Covid’s “knock-on effects”. Watch | Cognitive abilities can decline due to severe covid: Reports Excess mortality is defined as the difference in the total number of deaths in a crisis compared to those expected under normal conditions. Also read | WHO chief warns world is blind to how Covid is mutating, after S.Africa reports two new Omicron variants COVID-19 excess mortality accounts for both the total number of deaths directly attributed to the virus as well as the indirect impact, such as disruption to essential health services or travel disruptions. Also read | Omicron as severe as previous Covid variants, large study finds “These sobering data not only point to the impact of the pandemic but also to the need for all countries to invest in more resilient health systems that can sustain essential health services during crises, including stronger health information systems," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. WATCH WION LIVE Decode the geostrategy, diplomacy, and ideologies of the world’s unending wars. Catch our special series ‘World at War’ every Saturday at 8:30 PM IST and Sunday at 10:30 PM IST only on WION.

15 million: World’s Covid death toll triple than actually reported in 2020-21, says WHO

In a milestone for one of the worst affected countries in Europe, the deaths in the United Kingdom due to coronavirus topped 150,000 on Saturday.

The government reported that deaths within 28 days of a positive Covid test had reached 150,057 since the start of the pandemic. Russia is the only European country with a higher death toll.

The UK is racing to offer booster shots to adults across the country after research showed that two doses were not enough to protect people from Omicron.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/300-million-covid-19-cases-reported-worldwide-amid-omicron-surge-443046" hreflang="en">300 million COVID-19 cases reported worldwide amid Omicron surge</a>

Britain has seen a surge of cases linked to the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in recent weeks, though death rates have been lower than during previous waves of the disease.

Some 1.227 million people tested positive for COVID-19 during the past week, 10.6 per cent&nbsp;more than the week before, while the number of deaths was up 38.3 per cent&nbsp;on a week before at 1,271.

Meanwhile, Britain's health secretary Sajid Javid was challenged by a doctor during a visit to a London hospital, who told him that the science was "not strong enough" to justify rules that health workers must be vaccinated.

The British government wants all National Health Service (NHS) staff who have direct contact with patients to have their first vaccination by February 3. If staff fail to comply, they risk losing their job.

When speaking to staff at King's College Hospital Javid asked staff what they thought of the new rules, consultant anaesthethetist, Steve James spoke up. He told the minister that he did not want to get the vaccination, and that he already had antibodies from contracting COVID-19.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/omicron-more-infectious-than-delta-experts-reveal-why-the-variant-is-affecting-kids-442963" hreflang="en">Omicron more infectious than Delta? Experts reveal why the variant is affecting kids</a>

Two years into a pandemic, its state-run health service was already facing a morale and staffing crisis even before the recent surge in Omicron.

The report said that the staffing crisis could derail efforts to catch-up with record waiting lists for elective treatment caused by COVID-19 disruption.

Rising staff absences at UK&nbsp;hospitals have already prompted the military to provide backup to beleaguered doctors and nurses.

More than 39,000 staff members at hospitals in England were off work for reasons related to COVID-19 on January 2, up 59 per cent from the previous week, according to NHS England.

UK government advisers have recommended against giving a fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine to nursing home residents and people over 80 because data shows that a third shot offers lasting protection against admission to the hospital.

For people over 65, protection against hospitalisation remains at about 90 per cent&nbsp;three months after the third dose, according to data compiled by the UK&nbsp;Health Security Agency.

(With inputs from agencies)

In a milestone for one of the worst affected countries in Europe, the deaths in the United Kingdom due to coronavirus topped 150,000 on Saturday. The government reported that deaths within 28 days of a positive Covid test had reached 150,057 since the start of the pandemic.

In a milestone for one of the worst affected countries in Europe, the deaths in the United Kingdom due to coronavirus topped 150,000 on Saturday. The government reported that deaths within 28 days of a positive Covid test had reached 150,057 since the start of the pandemic. Russia is the only European country with a higher death toll. The UK is racing to offer booster shots to adults across the country after research showed that two doses were not enough to protect people from Omicron. Also read | 300 million COVID-19 cases reported worldwide amid Omicron surge Britain has seen a surge of cases linked to the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in recent weeks, though death rates have been lower than during previous waves of the disease. Some 1.227 million people tested positive for COVID-19 during the past week, 10.6 per cent more than the week before, while the number of deaths was up 38.3 per cent on a week before at 1,271. Meanwhile, Britain's health secretary Sajid Javid was challenged by a doctor during a visit to a London hospital, who told him that the science was "not strong enough" to justify rules that health workers must be vaccinated. The British government wants all National Health Service (NHS) staff who have direct contact with patients to have their first vaccination by February 3. If staff fail to comply, they risk losing their job. When speaking to staff at King's College Hospital Javid asked staff what they thought of the new rules, consultant anaesthethetist, Steve James spoke up. He told the minister that he did not want to get the vaccination, and that he already had antibodies from contracting COVID-19. Also read | Omicron more infectious than Delta? Experts reveal why the variant is affecting kids Two years into a pandemic, its state-run health service was already facing a morale and staffing crisis even before the recent surge in Omicron. The report said that the staffing crisis could derail efforts to catch-up with record waiting lists for elective treatment caused by COVID-19 disruption. Rising staff absences at UK hospitals have already prompted the military to provide backup to beleaguered doctors and nurses. More than 39,000 staff members at hospitals in England were off work for reasons related to COVID-19 on January 2, up 59 per cent from the previous week, according to NHS England. UK government advisers have recommended against giving a fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine to nursing home residents and people over 80 because data shows that a third shot offers lasting protection against admission to the hospital. For people over 65, protection against hospitalisation remains at about 90 per cent three months after the third dose, according to data compiled by the UK Health Security Agency. (With inputs from agencies)

UK: Coronavirus deaths top 150,000, British government asks NHS to get vaccinated by February 3

India on Thursday reported highest number of Covid deaths in 24-hour period. The death toll has been the highest since the pandemic hit last year. The data has been released by Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry.

This spike in number of deaths has come as daily infections have been showing downward trend. On Thursday, 94,052 fresh Covid infections were reported. The number of fresh infections was less than 100,000 for third consecutive day.

The spike in the national toll followed revision in the death toll in the state of Bihar. The prviously unaccounted 3,951 deaths sent its toll above 9,000.

If the state's revised tally is reduced, then the death toll stands at 2,197 across the country in last 24 hours.

The Bihar Health Department reported 9,429 deaths due to coronavirus on Wednesday evening, a jump of 3,951 more deaths compared to a day before. The total deaths in Bihar due to Covid were 5,458 as on Tuesday.

The Health Department has given the breakup of deaths in all 38 districts of the state but it has not mentioned when these deaths occurred. Patna has registered 2,303 deaths which is the highest in the state followed by Muzaffarpur (609) and Begusarai (316).

After the mismatch, a senior state Health Department official said that the matter is under investigation. The detailed report is expected to come later.

(With inputs from agencies)

India on Thursday reported highest number of Covid deaths in 24-hour period. The death toll has been the highest since the pandemic hit last year. The data has been released by Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry.

India on Thursday reported highest number of Covid deaths in 24-hour period. The death toll has been the highest since the pandemic hit last year. The data has been released by Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry. This spike in number of deaths has come as daily infections have been showing downward trend. On Thursday, 94,052 fresh Covid infections were reported. The number of fresh infections was less than 100,000 for third consecutive day. The spike in the national toll followed revision in the death toll in the state of Bihar. The prviously unaccounted 3,951 deaths sent its toll above 9,000. If the state's revised tally is reduced, then the death toll stands at 2,197 across the country in last 24 hours. The Bihar Health Department reported 9,429 deaths due to coronavirus on Wednesday evening, a jump of 3,951 more deaths compared to a day before. The total deaths in Bihar due to Covid were 5,458 as on Tuesday. The Health Department has given the breakup of deaths in all 38 districts of the state but it has not mentioned when these deaths occurred. Patna has registered 2,303 deaths which is the highest in the state followed by Muzaffarpur (609) and Begusarai (316). After the mismatch, a senior state Health Department official said that the matter is under investigation. The detailed report is expected to come later. (With inputs from agencies)

India reports highest daily Covid death toll

Peru has almost tripled its official COVID-19 death toll after a government review found that casualties were being underreported. The death toll has now been increased to over 180,764 from 69,342.

Coronavirus Update: Peru nearly triples its COVID-19 death toll

The total number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) across the world, since the pandemic began in China in late 2019, climbed to 141,819,360 today while the global death toll has surged to 3,027,353.

Global COVID-19 cases cross 141.819 million

Brazil topped 300,000 COVID-19 deaths amid a major shortage of oxygen cylinders and hospital beds. Latin American leaders see red as Bolsonaro continues to reject partial lockdown measures. Has Brazil's pandemic response completely broken down? WION's Palki Sharma gets you a report.

Gravitas: Brazil suffocates as Oxygen cylinders run low

Brazil registered 1,972 new COVID-19 related deaths in a single day on Tuesday. The country had the world's second-highest death toll due to Coronavirus only behind the United States of America.

Brazil posts new record of 1,972 COVID related deaths in a single day

Brazil registers the highest single-day deaths on Tuesday i.e. 1641. Over 257,000 people have died in the country due to COVID-19 infections.

Second COVID wave leaves Brazil's healthcare in shambles

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