Isolated North Korea has continued to claim a perfect record in keeping out the coronavirus in its latest report to the World Health Organisation.

At the beginning of the pandemic more than a year ago, North Korea described its efforts to keep out the virus as a ''matter of national existence.''

It shut its borders, banned tourists, and jetted out diplomats. It still severely limits cross-border traffic and has quarantined tens of thousands of people who have shown symptoms.

But it still says it has found no case of COVID-19, a widely doubted claim given its poor health infrastructure and a porous border with China, its economic lifeline.

In an email to The Associated Press on Wednesday, Edwin Salvador, WHO's representative to North Korea, said the North has reported it tested 23,121 people for the coronavirus from the beginning of the pandemic to April 1 and that all results were negative. Salvador said the North said 732 people were tested between March 26 and April 1.

WHO officials say the North is no longer providing the UN agency with the number of people it quarantines with suspected symptoms.

North Korea said Tuesday it would skip the Tokyo Olympics to protect athletes from the ''world public health crisis caused by COVID-19.''

The UN-backed programme to ship COVID-19 vaccines worldwide said in February that North Korea could receive 1.9 million vaccine doses in the first half of this year. However, COVAX has since warned of global shortages because the Serum Institute of India, which is licensed to produce the

AstraZeneca vaccine is putting its supplies into domestic demand while India's virus caseload is surging.

Isolated North Korea has continued to claim a perfect record in keeping out the coronavirus in its latest report to the World Health Organisation. At the beginning of the pandemic more than a year ago, North Korea described its efforts to keep out the virus as a ''matter of national existence.

Isolated North Korea has continued to claim a perfect record in keeping out the coronavirus in its latest report to the World Health Organisation. At the beginning of the pandemic more than a year ago, North Korea described its efforts to keep out the virus as a ''matter of national existence.'' It shut its borders, banned tourists, and jetted out diplomats. It still severely limits cross-border traffic and has quarantined tens of thousands of people who have shown symptoms. But it still says it has found no case of COVID-19, a widely doubted claim given its poor health infrastructure and a porous border with China, its economic lifeline. In an email to The Associated Press on Wednesday, Edwin Salvador, WHO's representative to North Korea, said the North has reported it tested 23,121 people for the coronavirus from the beginning of the pandemic to April 1 and that all results were negative. Salvador said the North said 732 people were tested between March 26 and April 1. WHO officials say the North is no longer providing the UN agency with the number of people it quarantines with suspected symptoms. North Korea said Tuesday it would skip the Tokyo Olympics to protect athletes from the ''world public health crisis caused by COVID-19.'' The UN-backed programme to ship COVID-19 vaccines worldwide said in February that North Korea could receive 1.9 million vaccine doses in the first half of this year. However, COVAX has since warned of global shortages because the Serum Institute of India, which is licensed to produce the AstraZeneca vaccine is putting its supplies into domestic demand while India's virus caseload is surging.

North Korea tells WHO it's still virus-free

Is the COVID vaccine passport set to become the new norm in 2021 and do we all need to have one soon? This is a pertinent question that is been asked after Israel became the first nation to introduce a certification system allowing those vaccinated against COVID-19 to get entitlement to certain facilities. Everything you need to know about COVID-19 'vaccine passport'.

What is a 'vaccine passport'? All you need to know

While the world is currently fighting the deadly coronavirus pandemic, which has claimed millions of lives, the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning about another possible danger in the near future.

A report by the WHO suggests that by 2050 one in four of the world's population will suffer from hearing problems.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/modernas-coronavirus-vaccine-side-effects-are-severe-but-worth-it-cdc-study-367057" hreflang="en">Moderna's coronavirus vaccine side effects are severe, but worth it: CDC study</a>

The first-ever global report on hearing claims that causes of many of these problems, such as infections, diseases, birth defects, noise exposure and lifestyle choices can be prevented.&nbsp;

WHO has called for immediate and extra investment in prevention and treatment. As per the proposed package of measures in WHO's report, it would cost $1.33 per person per year.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pfizer-coronavirus-vaccine-may-be-less-effective-in-obesity-study-367008" hreflang="en">Pfizer coronavirus vaccine may be less effective in obesity: Study</a>

"Failure to act will be costly in terms of the health and well-being of those affected, and the financial losses arising from their exclusion from communication, education and employment," the report said.

While right now there are one in five people who suffer from hearing problems, the number can increase to 2.5 billion soon, the report warned.

"The number of people with hearing loss may increase more than 1.5-fold during the next three decades" to 2.5 billion people, which was previously 1.6 billion in 2019.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/large-study-shows-pfizers-coronavirus-vaccine-94-effective-366057" hreflang="en">Large study shows Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine 94% effective</a>

Out of these 2.5 billion, nearly 700 million people would be suffering from serious hearing problems by 2050. The 700 million people may even require major treatment for the hearing condition, which would be a major increase from 430 million people in 2019.

One of the major reason behind this alarming increase is demographic and population trends, the report explained.

This issue has also been increasing due to lack of access to care, especially in the low-income countries — as nearly 80 per cent of people live in these countries — as the majority of them are not getting the required help.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/future-vaccines-depend-on-test-subjects-in-short-supply-monkeys-365739" hreflang="en">Future vaccines depend on test subjects in short supply: Monkeys</a>

The lack of accurate information and an increasing stigma around ear diseases and loss of hearing also contributes to the increasing number of people who are suffering from hearing problems.

"Even among health-care providers, knowledge relevant to prevention, early identification and management of hearing loss and ear diseases is commonly lacking," the report said.

The package of measures proposed by the WHO include public health initiatives such as reduction of noise in public spaces and an increase in vaccinations for diseases that can lead to hearing loss. It also proposed systematic screening to identify the problem.

"An estimated one trillion US dollars is lost each year due to our collective failure to adequately address hearing loss," WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. "While the financial burden is enormous, what cannot be quantified is the distress caused by the loss of communication, education and social interaction that accompanies unaddressed hearing loss."

While the world is currently fighting the deadly coronavirus pandemic, which has claimed millions of lives, the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning about another possible danger in the near future.

While the world is currently fighting the deadly coronavirus pandemic, which has claimed millions of lives, the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning about another possible danger in the near future. A report by the WHO suggests that by 2050 one in four of the world's population will suffer from hearing problems. Also read | Moderna's coronavirus vaccine side effects are severe, but worth it: CDC study The first-ever global report on hearing claims that causes of many of these problems, such as infections, diseases, birth defects, noise exposure and lifestyle choices can be prevented. WHO has called for immediate and extra investment in prevention and treatment. As per the proposed package of measures in WHO's report, it would cost $1.33 per person per year. Also read | Pfizer coronavirus vaccine may be less effective in obesity: Study "Failure to act will be costly in terms of the health and well-being of those affected, and the financial losses arising from their exclusion from communication, education and employment," the report said. While right now there are one in five people who suffer from hearing problems, the number can increase to 2.5 billion soon, the report warned. "The number of people with hearing loss may increase more than 1.5-fold during the next three decades" to 2.5 billion people, which was previously 1.6 billion in 2019. Also read | Large study shows Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine 94% effective Out of these 2.5 billion, nearly 700 million people would be suffering from serious hearing problems by 2050. The 700 million people may even require major treatment for the hearing condition, which would be a major increase from 430 million people in 2019. One of the major reason behind this alarming increase is demographic and population trends, the report explained. This issue has also been increasing due to lack of access to care, especially in the low-income countries — as nearly 80 per cent of people live in these countries — as the majority of them are not getting the required help. Also read | Future vaccines depend on test subjects in short supply: Monkeys The lack of accurate information and an increasing stigma around ear diseases and loss of hearing also contributes to the increasing number of people who are suffering from hearing problems. "Even among health-care providers, knowledge relevant to prevention, early identification and management of hearing loss and ear diseases is commonly lacking," the report said. The package of measures proposed by the WHO include public health initiatives such as reduction of noise in public spaces and an increase in vaccinations for diseases that can lead to hearing loss. It also proposed systematic screening to identify the problem. "An estimated one trillion US dollars is lost each year due to our collective failure to adequately address hearing loss," WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. "While the financial burden is enormous, what cannot be quantified is the distress caused by the loss of communication, education and social interaction that accompanies unaddressed hearing loss."

Louder please? 1 in 4 people will have hearing problems by 2050, WHO warns

It is time to start solving the mystery of Long Covid, an aspect of the pandemic blighting millions of lives, the World Health Organization's leader on post-Covid conditions told AFP.

Little is known about why some people, after coming through the acute phase of Covid-19, struggle to recover and suffer ongoing symptoms including tiredness, brain fog, cardiac and neurological disorders.

At this stage of the pandemic, the world is fixated on vaccine roll-out and new, more contagious variants of the coronavirus.

However, Long Covid deserves similar urgent attention, said Janet Diaz, the clinical care lead in the WHO's emergencies programme, ahead of a push for a globally-unified approach to the problem.

Also read|<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-experts-visit-wuhan-market-the-location-of-first-covid-outbreak-360386">&nbsp;WHO experts visit Wuhan market, the location of first COVID outbreak</a>

"We still don't fully understand what Long Covid is," Diaz told AFP in an interview outside the WHO's headquarters in Geneva.

"There's quite a bit to learn, but I am confident that the scientific community is really rallying around."

Tellingly, Long Covid does not yet have a proper name.

The WHO currently calls it post-Covid condition, while other terms in circulation include post-acute Covid syndrome and Covid long haulers.

Building up a picture

The WHO is hosting a first global seminar on Long Covid on February 9. It will bring scientists, experts and clinicians together to define the condition, give it a formal name and harmonise study methods.

"It's a condition that needs further description, further understanding of how many are affected and further understanding of what is causing it, so we can better prevent, manage and treat it," said Diaz, 48, a US respiratory physician and intensive care doctor.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-reports-biggest-daily-surge-in-new-coronavirus-cases-360342">China reports biggest daily surge in new coronavirus cases</a>

She said British and other studies suggested potentially one in 10 cases may have prolonged symptoms one month after infection, but there was no picture yet of how long those conditions might persist.

The elderly and those with underlying conditions are most at risk of serious disease from Covid-19.

But the profile of Long Covid patients does not match. It affects people with varying degrees of severity of disease and "seems to potentially also include younger people", including children, said Diaz.

While the pandemic response priority remains preventing people from catching the virus and falling ill, treating coronavirus cases "must also now include care after the acute illness... until you get back to full health", Diaz said.

Cracking the code

Diaz said fatigue seemed to be the most common symptom, with others including post-exertional malaise, cognitive dysfunction or brain fog, shortness of breath, heart palpitations and neurological problems.

"How these are all related -- that's what we don't understand. Why would one person get this, and the other person get that?" asked Diaz, saying researchers needed to crack the underlying mechanisms of the disease that were causing these persistent symptoms.

"Is it something due to the virus? Due to the immune response? If we had a better idea, we could start to target some interventions to reduce symptoms."

Diaz said a "tremendous amount" of research was underway, largely classic observational studies following discharged patients.

The first Covid-19 cases were discovered in China in December 2019. But it was only when Long Covid started appearing on the radar months later that mystified sufferers began reaching out and joining the dots themselves.

"That's been a tremendous movement," said Diaz, who took on the Long Covid remit in October.

In the first wave of the pandemic, struggling health care systems got patients through the acute illness, "but then didn't realise they weren't recovering to their previous health".

She said the patient-led research had driven scientists to do further studies, and "collaboratively we should get to an answer quicker".

'Stay hopeful'

The February 9 seminar, at which scientists will present their latest findings, will be the first in a regular series.

"Right now, we probably have enough descriptive data to start to bring it all together," said Diaz.

Besides agreeing a definition and a name, the meeting will launch a standardised data collection methods for monitoring patients, and start opening doors towards clinical prevention and management.

"We quickly have to build our understanding from each other's experiences," Diaz said.

Crucially, donors will be taking part, and are "really aware" of the pressing need for Long Covid funding, she added.

In a message to the potential millions still suffering long after they are officially considered recovered, Diaz said: "Stay hopeful".

"People may have prolonged symptoms, but we do know people are recovering. It may take a long time, but they are still recovering to previous health. We're with you."

It is time to start solving the mystery of Long Covid, an aspect of the pandemic blighting millions of lives, the World Health Organization's leader on post-Covid conditions told AFP.

It is time to start solving the mystery of Long Covid, an aspect of the pandemic blighting millions of lives, the World Health Organization's leader on post-Covid conditions told AFP. Little is known about why some people, after coming through the acute phase of Covid-19, struggle to recover and suffer ongoing symptoms including tiredness, brain fog, cardiac and neurological disorders. At this stage of the pandemic, the world is fixated on vaccine roll-out and new, more contagious variants of the coronavirus. However, Long Covid deserves similar urgent attention, said Janet Diaz, the clinical care lead in the WHO's emergencies programme, ahead of a push for a globally-unified approach to the problem. Also read| WHO experts visit Wuhan market, the location of first COVID outbreak "We still don't fully understand what Long Covid is," Diaz told AFP in an interview outside the WHO's headquarters in Geneva. "There's quite a bit to learn, but I am confident that the scientific community is really rallying around." Tellingly, Long Covid does not yet have a proper name. The WHO currently calls it post-Covid condition, while other terms in circulation include post-acute Covid syndrome and Covid long haulers. Building up a picture The WHO is hosting a first global seminar on Long Covid on February 9. It will bring scientists, experts and clinicians together to define the condition, give it a formal name and harmonise study methods. "It's a condition that needs further description, further understanding of how many are affected and further understanding of what is causing it, so we can better prevent, manage and treat it," said Diaz, 48, a US respiratory physician and intensive care doctor. Also read | China reports biggest daily surge in new coronavirus cases She said British and other studies suggested potentially one in 10 cases may have prolonged symptoms one month after infection, but there was no picture yet of how long those conditions might persist. The elderly and those with underlying conditions are most at risk of serious disease from Covid-19. But the profile of Long Covid patients does not match. It affects people with varying degrees of severity of disease and "seems to potentially also include younger people", including children, said Diaz. While the pandemic response priority remains preventing people from catching the virus and falling ill, treating coronavirus cases "must also now include care after the acute illness... until you get back to full health", Diaz said. Cracking the code Diaz said fatigue seemed to be the most common symptom, with others including post-exertional malaise, cognitive dysfunction or brain fog, shortness of breath, heart palpitations and neurological problems. "How these are all related -- that's what we don't understand. Why would one person get this, and the other person get that?" asked Diaz, saying researchers needed to crack the underlying mechanisms of the disease that were causing these persistent symptoms. "Is it something due to the virus? Due to the immune response? If we had a better idea, we could start to target some interventions to reduce symptoms." Diaz said a "tremendous amount" of research was underway, largely classic observational studies following discharged patients. The first Covid-19 cases were discovered in China in December 2019. But it was only when Long Covid started appearing on the radar months later that mystified sufferers began reaching out and joining the dots themselves. "That's been a tremendous movement," said Diaz, who took on the Long Covid remit in October. In the first wave of the pandemic, struggling health care systems got patients through the acute illness, "but then didn't realise they weren't recovering to their previous health". She said the patient-led research had driven scientists to do further studies, and "collaboratively we should get to an answer quicker". 'Stay hopeful' The February 9 seminar, at which scientists will present their latest findings, will be the first in a regular series. "Right now, we probably have enough descriptive data to start to bring it all together," said Diaz. Besides agreeing a definition and a name, the meeting will launch a standardised data collection methods for monitoring patients, and start opening doors towards clinical prevention and management. "We quickly have to build our understanding from each other's experiences," Diaz said. Crucially, donors will be taking part, and are "really aware" of the pressing need for Long Covid funding, she added. In a message to the potential millions still suffering long after they are officially considered recovered, Diaz said: "Stay hopeful". "People may have prolonged symptoms, but we do know people are recovering. It may take a long time, but they are still recovering to previous health. We're with you."

Time to team up and tackle Long Covid, says WHO expert

In a finding, the associated press assessed an audio recording about a meeting held between WHO and Chinese officials, the said meeting took place in January 2020 weeks after the COVID-19 Pandemic hit China. This audio exposed that China regardless of being the epicenter for the virus kept the world and UN nations into darkness about the Coronavirus.

WHO recordings show China delayed releasing coronavirus information

The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged countries to cooperate with each other rather than playing the blame game about the origin of the deadly coronavirus, warning that the 'patient zero'&nbsp; might never be found.

"We need to be very careful about the use of the phrase ‘patient zero’ which many people indicate as the first initial case. We may never find who the patient zero was,"&nbsp;Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO, technical lead on COVID-19 said in a press conference.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-says-latest-covid-outbreak-is-due-to-foreign-travellers-357086" hreflang="en">China says latest COVID outbreak is due to foreign travellers</a>

"We may never find who patient zero was. What we need to do is follow the science and follow the studies," she added.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
"We need to be careful about the use of the phrase patient zero, which many people indicate as the first initial case. 
 
We may never find who patient zero was. What we need to do is follow the science and follow the studies," -<a href="https://twitter.com/mvankerkhove?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mvankerkhove</a> on <a href="https://twitter.com/WHO?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WHO</a>'s <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID19?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVID19</a> mission to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/China?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#China</a>. <a href="https://t.co/orFtof9PKy">pic.twitter.com/orFtof9PKy</a>
— Global Health Strategies (@GHS) <a href="https://twitter.com/GHS/status/1350179735691735042?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The statement has come at a time when WHO's team of expert scientists have gone to China's Wuhan — the original epicentre of the virus — to investigate the origin of coronavirus, which is alleged to be Wuhan.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/global-covid-death-toll-crosses-2-million-357070" hreflang="en">Global COVID death toll crosses 2 million</a>

Kerkhove also warned people to keep following the basic safety measures such as hand sanitisation, face masks and social distancing till the virus is completely in control. "We have to be part of the collective action towards ending the pandemic," she said. "We have to prevent ourselves from getting infected and if we do get infected, make sure the virus stops with us and we don't allow it to pass to someone else."

Talking about the different variants which have been identified all over the world — UK, South Africa and Brazil — WHO assured people that while the new variant can bring a surge in cases, it can also be blamed on lapses in behaviour than the mutations.

"On variants, (the committee) called for a global expansion of genomic sequencing and sharing of data, along with greater scientific collaboration to address critical unknowns," the WHO said.

Kerkhove also addressed the concern of new mutations in her briefing and said, "It's not just as simple to say we've identified a mutation... there needs to be a system in place to understand what each of these mutations mean what these variants mean and how it impacts the behavior of the virus."

The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged countries to cooperate with each other rather than playing the blame game about the origin of the deadly coronavirus, warning that the 'patient zero' might never be found.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged countries to cooperate with each other rather than playing the blame game about the origin of the deadly coronavirus, warning that the 'patient zero' might never be found. "We need to be very careful about the use of the phrase ‘patient zero’ which many people indicate as the first initial case. We may never find who the patient zero was," Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO, technical lead on COVID-19 said in a press conference. Also read| China says latest COVID outbreak is due to foreign travellers "We may never find who patient zero was. What we need to do is follow the science and follow the studies," she added. "We need to be careful about the use of the phrase patient zero, which many people indicate as the first initial case. We may never find who patient zero was. What we need to do is follow the science and follow the studies," -@mvankerkhove on @WHO's #COVID19 mission to #China. pic.twitter.com/orFtof9PKy — Global Health Strategies (@GHS) January 15, 2021 × The statement has come at a time when WHO's team of expert scientists have gone to China's Wuhan — the original epicentre of the virus — to investigate the origin of coronavirus, which is alleged to be Wuhan. Also read| Global COVID death toll crosses 2 million Kerkhove also warned people to keep following the basic safety measures such as hand sanitisation, face masks and social distancing till the virus is completely in control. "We have to be part of the collective action towards ending the pandemic," she said. "We have to prevent ourselves from getting infected and if we do get infected, make sure the virus stops with us and we don't allow it to pass to someone else." Talking about the different variants which have been identified all over the world — UK, South Africa and Brazil — WHO assured people that while the new variant can bring a surge in cases, it can also be blamed on lapses in behaviour than the mutations. "On variants, (the committee) called for a global expansion of genomic sequencing and sharing of data, along with greater scientific collaboration to address critical unknowns," the WHO said. Kerkhove also addressed the concern of new mutations in her briefing and said, "It's not just as simple to say we've identified a mutation... there needs to be a system in place to understand what each of these mutations mean what these variants mean and how it impacts the behavior of the virus."

'We may never find patient zero': WHO urges countries to cooperate

The new coronavirus variant discovered in Britain with a higher transmission rate is not yet out of control and can be contained using existing measures, the World Health Organization said on Monday.

"We have had a much higher (contamination rate) at different points in this pandemic and we've got it under control," WHO's emergencies chief Michael Ryan told a press conference.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/it-works-against-new-variant-too-eu-approves-pfizer-biontech-coronavirus-vaccine-351418">'It works against new variant too': EU approves Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine</a>

"So this situation is not in that sense out of control. But it cannot be left to its own devices."

British Health Secretary Matt Hancock had earlier claimed the new variant was "out of control", with British officials saying it was 70 percent more transmissible than the main strain.

"The measures we currently have in place are the correct measures," Ryan said.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/another-milestone-us-administers-first-moderna-covid-19-vaccines-351449" hreflang="en">Another milestone: US administers first Moderna COVID-19 vaccines</a>

"We need to do what we have been doing, we may just have to do it with a little more intensity and for a little longer to make sure we can bring this virus under control."

Roughly 30 countries shut their borders to people travelling from Britain or South Africa — where another variant has emerged — to stop any further spread.

"In some senses, it means we have to work harder," Ryan said. "Even if the virus has become a little bit more efficient in spreading, the virus can be stopped."

The new coronavirus variant discovered in Britain with a higher transmission rate is not yet out of control and can be contained using existing measures, the World Health Organization said on Monday.

The new coronavirus variant discovered in Britain with a higher transmission rate is not yet out of control and can be contained using existing measures, the World Health Organization said on Monday. "We have had a much higher (contamination rate) at different points in this pandemic and we've got it under control," WHO's emergencies chief Michael Ryan told a press conference. Also read| 'It works against new variant too': EU approves Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine "So this situation is not in that sense out of control. But it cannot be left to its own devices." British Health Secretary Matt Hancock had earlier claimed the new variant was "out of control", with British officials saying it was 70 percent more transmissible than the main strain. "The measures we currently have in place are the correct measures," Ryan said. Also read| Another milestone: US administers first Moderna COVID-19 vaccines "We need to do what we have been doing, we may just have to do it with a little more intensity and for a little longer to make sure we can bring this virus under control." Roughly 30 countries shut their borders to people travelling from Britain or South Africa — where another variant has emerged — to stop any further spread. "In some senses, it means we have to work harder," Ryan said. "Even if the virus has become a little bit more efficient in spreading, the virus can be stopped."

New coronavirus variant not out of control, says WHO

World Health Organization (W.H.O) will dispatch about 2 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses to poor countries. Watch this video to know more.

W.H.O creates COVAX program for all poor countries

World Health Organisation's (WHO) team of international scientists will travel to the Chinese city of Wuhan in the month of January to investigate the origins of the Novel Coronavirus.

WHO's international team to probe Coronavirus origin

The coronavirus pandemic continues to wreak havoc across the world, with over 54 million infections globally, and the estimated loss of lives at 1.3 million.

The chief of the World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday said that the vaccine itself would not be able to halt the COVID-19 pandemic.&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/who-is-the-couple-behind-pfizers-covid-vaccine-that-could-change-the-world-342548/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The WHO’s director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that a vaccine will help ease the management of COVID-19, but on its own would not be able to end the pandemic.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/who-confirms-record-657312-coronavirus-cases-worldwide-in-a-single-day-343245" hreflang="en">WHO confirms record 657,312 coronavirus cases worldwide in a single day</a>

"A vaccine will complement the other tools we have, not replace them," Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.

"A vaccine on its own will not end the pandemic”, he added.

On Saturday, 660,905 coronavirus cases were reported to the WHO, a new record since the pandemic began.

On Friday, 645,410 new cases were inducted. The previous daily highest digits were recorded on November 7, with 624,013 infections.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/world-cannot-put-all-eggs-in-one-basket-who-chief-tedros-encouraged-by-coronavirus-clinical-trials-342998" hreflang="en">'World cannot put all eggs in one basket': WHO chief Tedros 'encouraged' by coronavirus clinical trials</a>

WHO chief also shed light on the distribution of vaccines, claiming it would be rolled out to people on prioritised basis.

“Health workers, older people and other at-risk populations (to) be prioritised. That will hopefully reduce the number of deaths and enable the health systems to cope”, he added.

However, he warned that the pandemic will still need to be monitored.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/who-censors-taiwan-under-a-live-stream-of-its-press-conference-342571" hreflang="en">WHO censors Taiwan under a live stream of its press conference</a>

That will still leave the virus with a lot of room to move. Surveillance will need to continue, people will still need to be tested, isolated and cared for, contacts will still need to be traced... and individuals will still need to be cared for”, the WHO chief added.

The coronavirus pandemic continues to wreak havoc across the world, with over 54 million infections globally, and the estimated loss of lives at 1.3 million. The chief of the World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday said that the vaccine itself would not be able to halt the COVID-19 pandemic.

The coronavirus pandemic continues to wreak havoc across the world, with over 54 million infections globally, and the estimated loss of lives at 1.3 million. The chief of the World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday said that the vaccine itself would not be able to halt the COVID-19 pandemic. The WHO’s director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that a vaccine will help ease the management of COVID-19, but on its own would not be able to end the pandemic. Also read: WHO confirms record 657,312 coronavirus cases worldwide in a single day "A vaccine will complement the other tools we have, not replace them," Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. "A vaccine on its own will not end the pandemic”, he added. On Saturday, 660,905 coronavirus cases were reported to the WHO, a new record since the pandemic began. On Friday, 645,410 new cases were inducted. The previous daily highest digits were recorded on November 7, with 624,013 infections. Also read: 'World cannot put all eggs in one basket': WHO chief Tedros 'encouraged' by coronavirus clinical trials WHO chief also shed light on the distribution of vaccines, claiming it would be rolled out to people on prioritised basis. “Health workers, older people and other at-risk populations (to) be prioritised. That will hopefully reduce the number of deaths and enable the health systems to cope”, he added. However, he warned that the pandemic will still need to be monitored. Also read: WHO censors Taiwan under a live stream of its press conference That will still leave the virus with a lot of room to move. Surveillance will need to continue, people will still need to be tested, isolated and cared for, contacts will still need to be traced... and individuals will still need to be cared for”, the WHO chief added.

'A vaccine on its own will not end the pandemic', says WHO chief

The European Commission on Wednesday proposed new rules which would essentially enable the EU to declare a health emergency. In addition, this would allow the EU to test individual national plans in place to tackle pandemics.

A blow to the World Health Organization (WHO), which has historically taken such calls, this could signal a shift in WHO-centric health policy outlook.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-sinopharm-claims-results-of-its-vaccine-are-better-than-expected-342440" hreflang="en">China's Sinopharm claims results of its vaccine are 'better than expected'</a>

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The reaction to COVID-19 among 27 EU countries has been uncoordinated, which is why some countries have managed it amiably, while others have faltered. Currently, Europe is witnessing a second-wave of coronavirus infections, with numbers increasing across all major countries. Many have also reimposed lockdowns.

Owing to the unequal response and preparation, many EU countries were seen competing for medical gear and other paraphernalia.

WHO criticised

The WHO has faced global criticism for undermining the severity of COVID-19, and for&nbsp;declaring it a pandemic too late. The WHO, though denies all such claims.

The proposals state that the EU would be able to declare a pan-EU public health emergency, which they would facilitate coordination among EU states. As of now, the union has to rely on the WHO before declaring such emergencies.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-president-warns-recurring-cycles-viral-spread-despite-vaccine-342445" hreflang="en">EU president warns 'recurring cycles' viral spread despite vaccine</a>

"The new rules will enable the activation of EU emergency response mechanisms… without making it contingent upon the WHO's own declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern," an EU document says, Reuters reported. However, all such responses would be in coordination with the WHO.

EU states want reform in the WHO, and believe that they had relied on the organisation too heavily during the pandemic.

"We relied too much on the WHO for the COVID-19 pandemic," Peter Liese, lawmaker from German Chancellor Angela Merkel's party said.

"Under pressure from China, the WHO declared the health emergency too late. It is therefore very important to have the possibility to act at European level in future similar situations”, Liese added.

The incumbent US President Donald Trump had labelled WHO a puppet of China.

The European Commission on Wednesday proposed new rules which would essentially enable the EU to declare a health emergency. In addition, this would allow the EU to test individual national plans in place to tackle pandemics.

The European Commission on Wednesday proposed new rules which would essentially enable the EU to declare a health emergency. In addition, this would allow the EU to test individual national plans in place to tackle pandemics. A blow to the World Health Organization (WHO), which has historically taken such calls, this could signal a shift in WHO-centric health policy outlook. Also read: China's Sinopharm claims results of its vaccine are 'better than expected' The reaction to COVID-19 among 27 EU countries has been uncoordinated, which is why some countries have managed it amiably, while others have faltered. Currently, Europe is witnessing a second-wave of coronavirus infections, with numbers increasing across all major countries. Many have also reimposed lockdowns. Owing to the unequal response and preparation, many EU countries were seen competing for medical gear and other paraphernalia. WHO criticised The WHO has faced global criticism for undermining the severity of COVID-19, and for declaring it a pandemic too late. The WHO, though denies all such claims. The proposals state that the EU would be able to declare a pan-EU public health emergency, which they would facilitate coordination among EU states. As of now, the union has to rely on the WHO before declaring such emergencies. Also read: EU president warns 'recurring cycles' viral spread despite vaccine "The new rules will enable the activation of EU emergency response mechanisms… without making it contingent upon the WHO's own declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern," an EU document says, Reuters reported. However, all such responses would be in coordination with the WHO. EU states want reform in the WHO, and believe that they had relied on the organisation too heavily during the pandemic. "We relied too much on the WHO for the COVID-19 pandemic," Peter Liese, lawmaker from German Chancellor Angela Merkel's party said. "Under pressure from China, the WHO declared the health emergency too late. It is therefore very important to have the possibility to act at European level in future similar situations”, Liese added. The incumbent US President Donald Trump had labelled WHO a puppet of China.

EU seeks power to declare health emergencies undermining WHO

World Health Organizations emergencies director Michael Ryan said today that "about 10 per cent of the global population may have been infected by coronavirus".

WHO: Three countries account for half of COVID-19 cases

WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the manufacturers Abbott and SD Biosensor had agreed with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to "make 120 million of these new, highly portable and easy-to-use rapid COVID-19 diagnostic tests available over a period of six months".

WHO: Poorer countries to get 120 million rapid coronavirus tests

According to the WHO, the coronavirus appears to be accelerating worldwide. However, the global body has failed to find the source of the deadly virus that was first reported in the Chinese city of Wuhan. Watch report.

WHO: World sees a weekly number of COVID-19 cases

Switzerland, which last fought a foreign war more than 200 years ago and has no discernable enemies, wants to spend billions on new fighter jets.

Many oppose the idea, saying the neutral country neither can afford nor needs cutting-edge warplanes to defend Alpine territory which a supersonic jet can cross in 10 minutes.

Ireland, Malta and Luxembourg don't have jets, they say, making the $6.6 billion&nbsp;plan a waste of money.

"Who is our enemy? Who is attacking a small, neutral country,&nbsp;surrounded by NATO?" asked Priska Seiler Graf, a member of parliament for the left-leaning Social Democrats. "It's really absurd."

Voters get their say on Sunday September&nbsp;27. Approving funding in the binding referendum would let the government decide next year among the Eurofighter from Airbus, the Rafale from France's Dassault, Boeing's&nbsp;F/A-18 Super Hornet, or the Lockheed Martin&nbsp;F35-A Lightning II.

The aircraft would replace&nbsp;Switzerland's aging fleet of 30 F/A-18 Hornets which will go out of service in 2030.

Seiler Graf said cheaper alternatives, such as a fighter version of Leonardo's M346 trainer, offered better value than the "expensive toys" under consideration. &nbsp;

"We need new aircraft, that is not disputed, but buying lighter, simpler aircraft would be enough," she said. "It would be better to have a Fiat than a Maserati."

Voters six years ago rejected the purchase of Gripen jets from Sweden. In 1989 a proposal to scrap its entire army got 35% of voter support.

Pollster Lukas Golder from GFS.Bern said voters are likely to back the plan to buy the jets. Armed neutrality is crucial to how&nbsp;Switzerland&nbsp;defines itself, he said, going back to the belief a strong army deterred invasion by Nazi Germany in World War II. The Pope's Swiss guards are also a reminder of the country's mercenary past.

Lawmaker Thomas Hurter from the right-wing Swiss People's Party, a former air force pilot, said&nbsp;Switzerland&nbsp;had to protect itself without relying on other countries.

"If we don't replace these old aircraft, that means we have no air force, there is no protection any more and we are not fulfilling our constitution," he said.

Smaller jets could not fly high enough, he said, or have the acceleration needed to react quickly to emergencies.

"We don't know what's going to happen in the next 50 years," Hurter said. "You need to have the fire brigade ready when there is a burning house, otherwise it's too late."

Switzerland, which last fought a foreign war more than 200 years ago and has no discernable enemies, wants to spend billions on new fighter jets. Many oppose the idea, saying the neutral country neither can afford nor needs cutting-edge warplanes to defend Alpine territory which a supersonic jet can cross in 10 minutes.

Switzerland, which last fought a foreign war more than 200 years ago and has no discernable enemies, wants to spend billions on new fighter jets. Many oppose the idea, saying the neutral country neither can afford nor needs cutting-edge warplanes to defend Alpine territory which a supersonic jet can cross in 10 minutes. Ireland, Malta and Luxembourg don't have jets, they say, making the $6.6 billion plan a waste of money. "Who is our enemy? Who is attacking a small, neutral country, surrounded by NATO?" asked Priska Seiler Graf, a member of parliament for the left-leaning Social Democrats. "It's really absurd." Voters get their say on Sunday September 27. Approving funding in the binding referendum would let the government decide next year among the Eurofighter from Airbus, the Rafale from France's Dassault, Boeing's F/A-18 Super Hornet, or the Lockheed Martin F35-A Lightning II. The aircraft would replace Switzerland's aging fleet of 30 F/A-18 Hornets which will go out of service in 2030. Seiler Graf said cheaper alternatives, such as a fighter version of Leonardo's M346 trainer, offered better value than the "expensive toys" under consideration. "We need new aircraft, that is not disputed, but buying lighter, simpler aircraft would be enough," she said. "It would be better to have a Fiat than a Maserati." Voters six years ago rejected the purchase of Gripen jets from Sweden. In 1989 a proposal to scrap its entire army got 35% of voter support. Pollster Lukas Golder from GFS.Bern said voters are likely to back the plan to buy the jets. Armed neutrality is crucial to how Switzerland defines itself, he said, going back to the belief a strong army deterred invasion by Nazi Germany in World War II. The Pope's Swiss guards are also a reminder of the country's mercenary past. Lawmaker Thomas Hurter from the right-wing Swiss People's Party, a former air force pilot, said Switzerland had to protect itself without relying on other countries. "If we don't replace these old aircraft, that means we have no air force, there is no protection any more and we are not fulfilling our constitution," he said. Smaller jets could not fly high enough, he said, or have the acceleration needed to react quickly to emergencies. "We don't know what's going to happen in the next 50 years," Hurter said. "You need to have the fire brigade ready when there is a burning house, otherwise it's too late."

Why is Switzerland holding a referendum to purchase fighter jets?

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) for the country to have broad the COVID-19 outbreak under control it must have a positivity rate below 5%. But, presently Spain has a positivity rate of 12%.

Spain: More than 650,000 COVID-19 cases so far; death toll crosses 30,000 mark

COVID-19: Spain has a positivity rate of 12%, more than 650,000 cases recorded so far

The federal government released new guidelines saying that asymptomatic people, even those who have been in close contact of an infected person, should not necessarily go for testing. Whereas according to World Health Organisation (WHO), contacts of COVID-19 patients should also be tested regardless of symptoms.

COVID-19: CDC downplays importance of testing asymptomatic people whereas WHO recommends testing suspects

The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) Dr. Tedros says COVID-19 could be over in less than two years. Advances in technology can halt the virus in a shorter time. Dr. Tedros said corruption related to supplies of PPE kits during the pandemic is "unacceptable", describing it as "murder".

Coronavirus pandemic could be over within two years: WHO

The World Health Organization recently said that countries need to discard their own interests when dealing with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, or it could continue to get worse.

"(Acting) strategically and globally is actually in each country's national interest - no one is safe until everyone is safe," Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Tuesday. During a virtual briefing, he also while called for an end to "vaccine nationalism".

He also called for countries to ensure a global supply of potential vaccines, otherwise the pandemic could continue to escalate.

Vaccine efforts on

Additionally, the WHO chief has sent out a letter to all WHO members asking them to join the multilateral COVAX vaccine effort.

As of now, over 21.9 million in the world have been infected by COVID-19, with 772,647 deaths recorded worldwide.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-says-people-in-20s-30s-40s-increasingly-driving-coronavirus-pandemic-321437" hreflang="en">WHO says people in 20s, 30s, 40s increasingly driving coronavirus pandemic</a>

Earlier today, the World Health Organization said that it was worried that the spread of COVID-19 now may be driven by people in their 20s, 30s, and 40s.

The organisation added that most patients in the age brackets did not show symptoms, which could in turn continue to infect at-risk groups.

Younger people now the primary carriers

The organisation claimed that the number of younger people contracting the virus had risen across the world, which might in turn cause fatalities among vulnerable groups.

The elderly and people with co-morbidities, especially in poor countries with inadequate healthcare and densely populated areas, could face the virus’ wrath.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/who-says-no-evidence-of-coronavirus-on-frozen-food-packets-320368" hreflang="en">WHO says no evidence of coronavirus on frozen food packets</a>

"The epidemic is changing," WHO’s Western Pacific regional director, Takeshi Kasai, said during a virtual briefing.

"People in their 20s, 30s and 40s are increasingly driving the spread. Many are unaware they are infected."

"This increases the risk of spillovers to the more vulnerable," he added.

The World Health Organization recently said that countries need to discard their own interests when dealing with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, or it could continue to get worse.

The World Health Organization recently said that countries need to discard their own interests when dealing with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, or it could continue to get worse. "(Acting) strategically and globally is actually in each country's national interest - no one is safe until everyone is safe," Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Tuesday. During a virtual briefing, he also while called for an end to "vaccine nationalism". He also called for countries to ensure a global supply of potential vaccines, otherwise the pandemic could continue to escalate. Vaccine efforts on Additionally, the WHO chief has sent out a letter to all WHO members asking them to join the multilateral COVAX vaccine effort. As of now, over 21.9 million in the world have been infected by COVID-19, with 772,647 deaths recorded worldwide. Also read: WHO says people in 20s, 30s, 40s increasingly driving coronavirus pandemic Earlier today, the World Health Organization said that it was worried that the spread of COVID-19 now may be driven by people in their 20s, 30s, and 40s. The organisation added that most patients in the age brackets did not show symptoms, which could in turn continue to infect at-risk groups. Younger people now the primary carriers The organisation claimed that the number of younger people contracting the virus had risen across the world, which might in turn cause fatalities among vulnerable groups. The elderly and people with co-morbidities, especially in poor countries with inadequate healthcare and densely populated areas, could face the virus’ wrath. Also read: WHO says no evidence of coronavirus on frozen food packets "The epidemic is changing," WHO’s Western Pacific regional director, Takeshi Kasai, said during a virtual briefing. "People in their 20s, 30s and 40s are increasingly driving the spread. Many are unaware they are infected." "This increases the risk of spillovers to the more vulnerable," he added.

'Vaccine nationalism' must end to ensure global inoculation: WHO

The World Health Organization said Wednesday it was "unrealistic" to expect large crowds at sports events this year in countries suffering from community-level transmission of the new coronavirus.

WHO emergencies director Michael Ryan said it could be "disastrous" in such circumstances to allow the return of sports matches with tens of thousands of people attending.

Asked in a live WHO social media chat when major sports events could come back, Ryan said it was impossible to predict.

"We don't know," the Irish epidemiologist said.

"Large crowds of 40, 50, 60,000 people -- it's not just the risk of being in the stadium, it's the risk of going to the stadium, the public transport, the bars and the clubs," he explained.

"Imagine all the problems we have now with nightclubs and bars, and you squeeze all of that together into a four- or five-hour experience, where thousands of people go on the same public transport to a venue, get involved in the social aspects before a game, be involved in the game and then all of the social aspects after.

"In the context of community transmission, that could be disastrous."

The Tokyo 2020 Olympics and the 2020 European football championships have been postponed until next year, while major football tournaments like Europe's Champions League and the English Premier League have been forced behind closed doors.

"We may have to expect that as things open up, we go from having no-one at the games to maybe 1,000 and 2,000," said Ryan.

"We all want our sport back. We're just going to have to be careful for a good bit longer.

"It's very unrealistic in countries with community transmission that we're going to be seeing large gatherings like that this year.

"Right now, it's hard to see those fully re-opened venues."

The World Health Organization said Wednesday it was "unrealistic" to expect large crowds at sports events this year in countries suffering from community-level transmission of the new coronavirus.

The World Health Organization said Wednesday it was "unrealistic" to expect large crowds at sports events this year in countries suffering from community-level transmission of the new coronavirus. WHO emergencies director Michael Ryan said it could be "disastrous" in such circumstances to allow the return of sports matches with tens of thousands of people attending. Asked in a live WHO social media chat when major sports events could come back, Ryan said it was impossible to predict. "We don't know," the Irish epidemiologist said. "Large crowds of 40, 50, 60,000 people -- it's not just the risk of being in the stadium, it's the risk of going to the stadium, the public transport, the bars and the clubs," he explained. "Imagine all the problems we have now with nightclubs and bars, and you squeeze all of that together into a four- or five-hour experience, where thousands of people go on the same public transport to a venue, get involved in the social aspects before a game, be involved in the game and then all of the social aspects after. "In the context of community transmission, that could be disastrous." The Tokyo 2020 Olympics and the 2020 European football championships have been postponed until next year, while major football tournaments like Europe's Champions League and the English Premier League have been forced behind closed doors. "We may have to expect that as things open up, we go from having no-one at the games to maybe 1,000 and 2,000," said Ryan. "We all want our sport back. We're just going to have to be careful for a good bit longer. "It's very unrealistic in countries with community transmission that we're going to be seeing large gatherings like that this year. "Right now, it's hard to see those fully re-opened venues."

Large sports crowds 'unrealistic' this year: WHO

A World Health Organization (WHO) team sent to China to launch a probe into the origins of the new coronavirus had "extensive discussions" with Chinese counterparts, including video exchanges with scientists in Wuhan where the outbreak was first detected, a spokesman said on Tuesday.

The final results of the investigation are keenly awaited by scientists and governments around the world, none more so than Washington, which lobbied hard for the mission.

The Trump administration has accused&nbsp;the WHO of being China-centric and plans to leave the agency over its handling of the pandemic.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-will-retaliate-against-us-bullying-chinese-companies-and-journalists-chinese-media-318020" hreflang="en">China will retaliate against US bullying: Chinese media</a>

"The team had extensive discussions with Chinese counterparts and received updates on epidemiological studies, biologic and genetic analysis and animal health research," WHO's Christian Lindmeier told reporters.

The three-week advance mission comprising two specialists in animal health and epidemiology was tasked with laying the groundwork for a broader team of Chinese and international experts that will seek to discover how the virus that causes COVID-19 jumped the species barrier from animals to humans.

Lindmeier did not provide details on the timing or composition of the broader mission.

Terms of reference for the broader mission have been produced together with Chinese authorities in draft form, he said, and were not yet publicly available.

A World Health Organization (WHO) team sent to China to launch a probe into the origins of the new coronavirus had "extensive discussions" with Chinese counterparts, including video exchanges with scientists in Wuhan where the outbreak was first detected, a spokesman said on Tuesday.

A World Health Organization (WHO) team sent to China to launch a probe into the origins of the new coronavirus had "extensive discussions" with Chinese counterparts, including video exchanges with scientists in Wuhan where the outbreak was first detected, a spokesman said on Tuesday. The final results of the investigation are keenly awaited by scientists and governments around the world, none more so than Washington, which lobbied hard for the mission. The Trump administration has accused the WHO of being China-centric and plans to leave the agency over its handling of the pandemic. Also read: China will retaliate against US bullying: Chinese media "The team had extensive discussions with Chinese counterparts and received updates on epidemiological studies, biologic and genetic analysis and animal health research," WHO's Christian Lindmeier told reporters. The three-week advance mission comprising two specialists in animal health and epidemiology was tasked with laying the groundwork for a broader team of Chinese and international experts that will seek to discover how the virus that causes COVID-19 jumped the species barrier from animals to humans. Lindmeier did not provide details on the timing or composition of the broader mission. Terms of reference for the broader mission have been produced together with Chinese authorities in draft form, he said, and were not yet publicly available.

WHO says China team interviewed Wuhan scientists over coronavirus origins

The World Health Organization's mission in China laying the groundwork for an investigation into the animal origins of the coronavirus pandemic has concluded, the UN health agency said Monday.

The World Health Organization's mission in China laying the groundwork for an investigation into the animal origins of the coronavirus pandemic has concluded, the UN health agency said Monday. "The WHO advance team that travelled to China has now concluded their mission to lay the groundwork for further joint efforts to identify the virus origins, the agency's chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a virtual press conference, adding: "Epidemiological studies will begin in Wuhan to identify the potential source of infection of the early cases." Also read: COVID-19: WHO delegation likely to give clean chit to China The delegation consists of an epidemiologist and an animal health expert. Chinese regime will monitor all their movement during the investigation. × The delegation will cooperate with Chinese scientists, and will work to advance the 'understanding of animal hosts for COVID-19' besides ascertaining 'how the disease jumped from animals and humans'. The delegation will not visit Wuhan Institute of Virology, purported lab from where the virus reportedly originated.

WHO completes groundwork in China for coronavirus origin probe

As the summer break started in Europe and the US, young people let down their guards and flocked to beaches and home-made clubs to spend time with friends and have fun.

However, that may not have been the best idea during a pandemic and may have caused a surge in the positive coronavirus cases.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-pandemic-is-one-big-wave-not-seasonal-world-health-organization-316561">Also read|&nbsp;COVID-19 pandemic is one big wave, not seasonal: World Health Organization</a>

This has even raised concerns and fears of a possible second wave of the novel coronavirus in various western and Asian countries.

The World Health Organization (WHO, on Thursday issued a statement warning young people and urging them to stay home and stay safe.

“We’ve said this before and we’ll say it again: young people are not invincible,” WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a news briefing in Geneva.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/keeping-international-borders-sealed-unsustainable-covid-19-strategy-who-316377">Also read|&nbsp;Keeping international borders sealed unsustainable Covid-19 strategy: WHO</a>

The fears of possibility of second wave have even forced some countries to reimpose travel bans and prepare for another complete lockdown if need be.

According to Tedros, the spike in coronavirus cases is “driven in part by younger people letting down their guard during the northern hemisphere summer."

Maria Van Kerkhove, a top WHO epidemiologist, told the same briefing that nightclubs were “amplifiers of transmission”.

“The majority of young people infected tend to have more mild disease. But that’s not always consistent,” she said.

The WHO had earlier in June said it would be updating its travel guidelines in time for the northern hemisphere summer holidays, but has not yet done so.

As of now, the WHO has urged travellers to wear face masks at all times during travelling and to be informed about the surge of cases in the countries they are travelling to and travelling from.

As the summer break started in Europe and the US, young people let down their guards and flocked to beaches and home-made clubs to spend time with friends and have fun.

As the summer break started in Europe and the US, young people let down their guards and flocked to beaches and home-made clubs to spend time with friends and have fun. However, that may not have been the best idea during a pandemic and may have caused a surge in the positive coronavirus cases. Also read| COVID-19 pandemic is one big wave, not seasonal: World Health Organization This has even raised concerns and fears of a possible second wave of the novel coronavirus in various western and Asian countries. The World Health Organization (WHO, on Thursday issued a statement warning young people and urging them to stay home and stay safe. “We’ve said this before and we’ll say it again: young people are not invincible,” WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a news briefing in Geneva. Also read| Keeping international borders sealed unsustainable Covid-19 strategy: WHO The fears of possibility of second wave have even forced some countries to reimpose travel bans and prepare for another complete lockdown if need be. According to Tedros, the spike in coronavirus cases is “driven in part by younger people letting down their guard during the northern hemisphere summer." Maria Van Kerkhove, a top WHO epidemiologist, told the same briefing that nightclubs were “amplifiers of transmission”. “The majority of young people infected tend to have more mild disease. But that’s not always consistent,” she said. The WHO had earlier in June said it would be updating its travel guidelines in time for the northern hemisphere summer holidays, but has not yet done so. As of now, the WHO has urged travellers to wear face masks at all times during travelling and to be informed about the surge of cases in the countries they are travelling to and travelling from.

'Young people are not invincible': WHO warns the young party-goers

The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Thursday&nbsp;raised alarm against a growing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and warned of an imminent shortage of funds to fight the deadly disease.

56 cases have been reported in Equator province, which is greater than the total number of cases recorded in the province's last outbreak in 2018 according to the organisation.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/congo-reports-fresh-ebola-outbreak-three-weeks-before-plans-to-proclaim-the-country-disease-free-302415">Congo reports fresh Ebola outbreak three weeks before plans to proclaim the country disease-free</a>

According to Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO's regional director for Africa, ''Efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic have complicated the response to the Ebola outbreak.''

"We must not let Covid-19 distract us from tackling other pressing health threats. The current Ebola outbreak is running into headwinds because cases are scattered across remote areas in dense rainforests," Moeti said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fresh-ebola-outbreak-in-congo-kills-5-people-says-unicef-302613">Fresh Ebola outbreak in Congo kills 5 people, says UNICEF</a>

$1.75 million&nbsp;has been mobilised to combat the Ebola outbreak by the WHO on June 1, but that will only last a few more weeks.

Additional funding to help with vaccinations, testing, contact tracing, treatment and health education. For this Moeti has called for help.

Another Ebola outbreak in the east of the country was declared over June 25 after two years. 2,280 people had died in the previous outbreak.

Executive director of the WHO's emergency health programme, Michael Ryan, who has worked extensively on Ebola, said Monday that as of Sunday there were 17 deaths from confirmed Ebola cases and three more from suspected cases.

''While the numbers may appear low, the threat of spread is worrisome, especially because of the extreme logistical problems for health care workers to access remote, affected communities'' said Ryan.

"Any one of those individual cases can result in amplification of the disease," he added.

Over 12,000 people have been vaccinated in Equator in the six weeks since the outbreak started, beginning four days after the outbreak was declared according to Moeti.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Thursday raised alarm against a growing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and warned of an imminent shortage of funds to fight the deadly disease.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Thursday raised alarm against a growing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and warned of an imminent shortage of funds to fight the deadly disease. 56 cases have been reported in Equator province, which is greater than the total number of cases recorded in the province's last outbreak in 2018 according to the organisation. Also read: Congo reports fresh Ebola outbreak three weeks before plans to proclaim the country disease-free According to Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO's regional director for Africa, ''Efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic have complicated the response to the Ebola outbreak.'' "We must not let Covid-19 distract us from tackling other pressing health threats. The current Ebola outbreak is running into headwinds because cases are scattered across remote areas in dense rainforests," Moeti said. Also read: Fresh Ebola outbreak in Congo kills 5 people, says UNICEF $1.75 million has been mobilised to combat the Ebola outbreak by the WHO on June 1, but that will only last a few more weeks. Additional funding to help with vaccinations, testing, contact tracing, treatment and health education. For this Moeti has called for help. Another Ebola outbreak in the east of the country was declared over June 25 after two years. 2,280 people had died in the previous outbreak. Executive director of the WHO's emergency health programme, Michael Ryan, who has worked extensively on Ebola, said Monday that as of Sunday there were 17 deaths from confirmed Ebola cases and three more from suspected cases. ''While the numbers may appear low, the threat of spread is worrisome, especially because of the extreme logistical problems for health care workers to access remote, affected communities'' said Ryan. "Any one of those individual cases can result in amplification of the disease," he added. Over 12,000 people have been vaccinated in Equator in the six weeks since the outbreak started, beginning four days after the outbreak was declared according to Moeti.

WHO raises alarm and asks for help fighting growing Ebola outbreak

First came the Wuhan virus, then the swine flu scare followed by the bubonic plague in inner Mongolia, China is deepening the global health crisis&nbsp;by failing to contain one outbreak after another.

Beijing has been busy profiteering from the pandemic - flexing muscles in Ladakh, nitpicking on other countries, the latest being Kazakhstan. China now claims Kazakhstan is experiencing an outbreak of what it calls an "unknown pneumonia".

China says that this "unknown pneumonia" is deadlier than the Wuhan virus. Earlier, the Chinese embassy in Kazakhstan had issued a warning on July 19 informing the Chinese citizens in Kazakhstan that an unknown pneumonia had killed over 1,700 people. The embassy said that the cases of unidentified pneumonia are on the rise. China surprisingly was also armed with data.

It said that the unknown pneumonia had killed nearly 1800 people this year with over 620 deaths taking place in June alone. The Chinese embassy said that the unknown pneumonia was spreading in the regions of Atyrau, Aktobe and Shymkent while maintaining that it was "much deadlier than COIVD-19".

China, however, has not yet released verified data on the Wuhan virus.

Kazakhstan claims that China's information "is not consistent with reality". Kazakhstan, however, has acknowledged the presence of "viral pneumonia of unspecified aetiology" but it says that the outbreak is neither new nor unknown adding that the WHO guidelines were followed.

Kazakhstan has not released any data but media reports claim that pneumonia cases in capital Nursultan, has more than doubled in June with more than 200 people being admitted to hospitals every day.

The question being asked is what are we to make of this? Is this a new virus? or is this virus related to COVID-19? and is China trying to wash its hands off another potential outbreak? one that Beijing itself claims "is deadlier than COVID-19".

It is something that the World Health Organisation will have to decide.

As far as China is concerned, it is better off concentrating on the numerous problems crying for attention back home maybe it can start by releasing data points on the origin of the Wuhan virus.

First came the Wuhan virus, then the swine flu scare followed by the bubonic plague in inner Mongolia, China is deepening the global health crisis by failing to contain one outbreak after another.

First came the Wuhan virus, then the swine flu scare followed by the bubonic plague in inner Mongolia, China is deepening the global health crisis by failing to contain one outbreak after another. Beijing has been busy profiteering from the pandemic - flexing muscles in Ladakh, nitpicking on other countries, the latest being Kazakhstan. China now claims Kazakhstan is experiencing an outbreak of what it calls an "unknown pneumonia". China says that this "unknown pneumonia" is deadlier than the Wuhan virus. Earlier, the Chinese embassy in Kazakhstan had issued a warning on July 19 informing the Chinese citizens in Kazakhstan that an unknown pneumonia had killed over 1,700 people. The embassy said that the cases of unidentified pneumonia are on the rise. China surprisingly was also armed with data. It said that the unknown pneumonia had killed nearly 1800 people this year with over 620 deaths taking place in June alone. The Chinese embassy said that the unknown pneumonia was spreading in the regions of Atyrau, Aktobe and Shymkent while maintaining that it was "much deadlier than COIVD-19". China, however, has not yet released verified data on the Wuhan virus. Kazakhstan claims that China's information "is not consistent with reality". Kazakhstan, however, has acknowledged the presence of "viral pneumonia of unspecified aetiology" but it says that the outbreak is neither new nor unknown adding that the WHO guidelines were followed. Kazakhstan has not released any data but media reports claim that pneumonia cases in capital Nursultan, has more than doubled in June with more than 200 people being admitted to hospitals every day. The question being asked is what are we to make of this? Is this a new virus? or is this virus related to COVID-19? and is China trying to wash its hands off another potential outbreak? one that Beijing itself claims "is deadlier than COVID-19". It is something that the World Health Organisation will have to decide. As far as China is concerned, it is better off concentrating on the numerous problems crying for attention back home maybe it can start by releasing data points on the origin of the Wuhan virus.

Now, China claims Kazakhstan's 'unknown pneumonia' deadlier than COVID-19

The&nbsp;World&nbsp;Health&nbsp;Organization&nbsp;(WHO) said on Thursday that it was setting up an independent panel to review its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the response by governments.

The announcement follows strong criticism by US&nbsp;President Donald Trump's administration, which accused the WHO of being "China-centric", and US&nbsp;formal notification on Tuesday that it was withdrawing from the U.N. agency in a year's time.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-administration-begins-formal-withdrawal-from-who-311479">Trump administration begins formal withdrawal from WHO</a>

"Through you the world will understand the truth of what happened and also the solutions to build our future better as one humanity," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at the UN agency's headquarters in Geneva.

Former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark and former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf have agreed to head the panel and chose its members, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a virtual meeting with representatives of WHO's 194 member states, which was webcast.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-defends-who-slams-us-move-to-withdraw-311800">China defends WHO, slams US move to withdraw</a>

"This is not a standard report that ticks a box and is then put on a shelf to gather dust. This is something we take seriously," Tedros said, adding that the panel would provide an interim report to an annual meeting of&nbsp;health&nbsp;ministers being reconvened in November.

Clark, addressing the meeting, said that the assignment "could only be described as exceptionally challenging".

Tedros also said that a divided planet could not conquer the coronavirus crisis, after the US formally started its withdrawal from the UN agency.

"We cannot defeat this pandemic as a divided world... Together is the solution unless we want to give the advantage to the enemy, to the virus that has taken the world hostage," he said at the agency's Geneva headquarters.

Tedros noted that in May, WHO's member states adopted unanimously a resolution put forward by the European Union calling for an evaluation of the global response to the pandemic.

More than 12 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 548,429​ have died, according to a Reuters tally.

(With inputs from agencies)

The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Thursday that it was setting up an independent panel to review its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the response by governments.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Thursday that it was setting up an independent panel to review its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the response by governments. The announcement follows strong criticism by US President Donald Trump's administration, which accused the WHO of being "China-centric", and US formal notification on Tuesday that it was withdrawing from the U.N. agency in a year's time. Also read: Trump administration begins formal withdrawal from WHO "Through you the world will understand the truth of what happened and also the solutions to build our future better as one humanity," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at the UN agency's headquarters in Geneva. Former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark and former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf have agreed to head the panel and chose its members, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a virtual meeting with representatives of WHO's 194 member states, which was webcast. Also read: China defends WHO, slams US move to withdraw "This is not a standard report that ticks a box and is then put on a shelf to gather dust. This is something we take seriously," Tedros said, adding that the panel would provide an interim report to an annual meeting of health ministers being reconvened in November. Clark, addressing the meeting, said that the assignment "could only be described as exceptionally challenging". Tedros also said that a divided planet could not conquer the coronavirus crisis, after the US formally started its withdrawal from the UN agency. "We cannot defeat this pandemic as a divided world... Together is the solution unless we want to give the advantage to the enemy, to the virus that has taken the world hostage," he said at the agency's Geneva headquarters. Tedros noted that in May, WHO's member states adopted unanimously a resolution put forward by the European Union calling for an evaluation of the global response to the pandemic. More than 12 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 548,429 have died, according to a Reuters tally. (With inputs from agencies)

WHO sets up panel to review handling of coronavirus pandemic

Sri Lanka and Maldives have become the first two countries in the World Health Organisation's South-East Asia region to eliminate both measles and rubella ahead of a 2023 target, the U.N. Health agency announced Wednesday.

This success is encouraging and demonstrates the importance of joint efforts&nbsp;in combating diseases as the world grapples with the coronavirus, WHO South-East Asia regional director Poonam Khetrapal Singh said in a statement.

A country is considered to have eliminated measles and rubella when there is no evidence of endemic transmission of the viruses for more than three years and there is a well- performing surveillance system.

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Maldives reported its last endemic case of measles in 2009 and rubella in October 2015, while Sri Lanka reported its last endemic case of measles in May 2016 and rubella in March 2017.

WHO praised the efforts of countries in the region to continue vaccinating children while battling the coronavirus pandemic. It said all of the countries in recent years have introduced two doses of measles vaccine and at least one dose of rubella vaccine in their routine immunisation programmes.

First-dose coverage of measles vaccine is now 88 per cent and second-dose coverage 76 per cent&nbsp;in the region, WHO said. Since 2017, nearly 500 million more children in the region have been vaccinated for measles and rubella, it said.

Last September, the 11 countries in WHO's South-East Asia region set 2023 as a target for the elimination of measles and rubella. The countries in the WHO region are Bangladesh, Bhutan, East Timor, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, North Korea, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

WHO said Bhutan, East Timor and North Korea have succeeded in eliminating measles.&nbsp;

Sri Lanka and Maldives have become the first two countries in the World Health Organisation's South-East Asia region to eliminate both measles and rubella ahead of a 2023 target, the U.

Sri Lanka and Maldives have become the first two countries in the World Health Organisation's South-East Asia region to eliminate both measles and rubella ahead of a 2023 target, the U.N. Health agency announced Wednesday. This success is encouraging and demonstrates the importance of joint efforts in combating diseases as the world grapples with the coronavirus, WHO South-East Asia regional director Poonam Khetrapal Singh said in a statement. A country is considered to have eliminated measles and rubella when there is no evidence of endemic transmission of the viruses for more than three years and there is a well- performing surveillance system. Maldives reported its last endemic case of measles in 2009 and rubella in October 2015, while Sri Lanka reported its last endemic case of measles in May 2016 and rubella in March 2017. WHO praised the efforts of countries in the region to continue vaccinating children while battling the coronavirus pandemic. It said all of the countries in recent years have introduced two doses of measles vaccine and at least one dose of rubella vaccine in their routine immunisation programmes. First-dose coverage of measles vaccine is now 88 per cent and second-dose coverage 76 per cent in the region, WHO said. Since 2017, nearly 500 million more children in the region have been vaccinated for measles and rubella, it said. Last September, the 11 countries in WHO's South-East Asia region set 2023 as a target for the elimination of measles and rubella. The countries in the WHO region are Bangladesh, Bhutan, East Timor, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, North Korea, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand. WHO said Bhutan, East Timor and North Korea have succeeded in eliminating measles.

WHO says Sri Lanka and Maldives eliminate measles, rubella

The World Health Organisation Director Dr.Tedros Adhanom has cautioned that the number of Covid-19 cases will likely touch the 10 million mark within the next week. Watch report.

WHO expects total COVID-19 cases to touch 10 MN mark

With a rapid increase in the number of positive coronavirus cases, the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning of possible shortage of oxygen in the world.

The number of positive cases is nearing 10 million and more than 480,000 deaths, only few months after the pandemic started. Following that, WHO has issued a warning.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-brazil-witnesses-surge-in-cases-death-toll-goes-past-53000-308429">Also read|&nbsp;Coronavirus: Brazil witnesses surge in cases; death-toll goes past 53,000</a>

“Many countries are now experiencing difficulties obtaining oxygen concentrators,” WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. “Demand is currently outstripping supply.”

WHO has bought nearly 14,000 oxygen concentrators from manufacturers and aims to supply them to&nbsp;120 countries in coming weeks. The organisation also plans to get additional 170,000 concentrators – worth about US$100m – in the next six months.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-us-records-highest-single-day-spike-california-texas-among-states-worst-hit-308413">Also read|&nbsp;COVID-19: US records highest single day spike; California, Texas among states worst-hit</a>

The warning was issued as many countries such as India, the US, Brazil, among others, ave been reporting record high daily spike in number of positive cases. The WHO also expressed concern over the sudden increase of 25-50 per cent cases in a week in the Latin American countries. The experts have predicted that the death toll in Latin America is expected to skyrocket to 390,000 by October.

“I would characterise the situation in the Americas in general as still evolving, not having reached its peak yet, and likely to result in sustained numbers of cases and continued deaths,” said the&nbsp;head of the WHO emergencies programme, Dr Mike Ryan.

India, today, reported 16,922 cases. Brazil reported 42,725 cases and the US reported&nbsp;35,900 cases.&nbsp;

The world tally stands at around 9.39 million cases, including more than 481,000 deaths and almost 4.72 million recovered patients.

(With inputs from agencies)

With a rapid increase in the number of positive coronavirus cases, the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning of possible shortage of oxygen in the world.

With a rapid increase in the number of positive coronavirus cases, the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning of possible shortage of oxygen in the world. The number of positive cases is nearing 10 million and more than 480,000 deaths, only few months after the pandemic started. Following that, WHO has issued a warning. Also read| Coronavirus: Brazil witnesses surge in cases; death-toll goes past 53,000 “Many countries are now experiencing difficulties obtaining oxygen concentrators,” WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. “Demand is currently outstripping supply.” WHO has bought nearly 14,000 oxygen concentrators from manufacturers and aims to supply them to 120 countries in coming weeks. The organisation also plans to get additional 170,000 concentrators – worth about US$100m – in the next six months. Also read| COVID-19: US records highest single day spike; California, Texas among states worst-hit The warning was issued as many countries such as India, the US, Brazil, among others, ave been reporting record high daily spike in number of positive cases. The WHO also expressed concern over the sudden increase of 25-50 per cent cases in a week in the Latin American countries. The experts have predicted that the death toll in Latin America is expected to skyrocket to 390,000 by October. “I would characterise the situation in the Americas in general as still evolving, not having reached its peak yet, and likely to result in sustained numbers of cases and continued deaths,” said the head of the WHO emergencies programme, Dr Mike Ryan. India, today, reported 16,922 cases. Brazil reported 42,725 cases and the US reported 35,900 cases. The world tally stands at around 9.39 million cases, including more than 481,000 deaths and almost 4.72 million recovered patients. (With inputs from agencies)

COVID 19: WHO warns possible lack of oxygen as cases near 10 million

World Health Organization Director General Tedros Adhanom said on Wednesday he expected the number of novel coronavirus cases around the world, now at about 9.3 million, to reach 10 million next week.

Tedros also told a news briefing he backed Saudi Arabia's decision to ban pilgrims from abroad from attending the annual Haj pilgrimage to help limit the spread of the virus.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-coronavirus-pandemic-saudi-arabia-to-hold-very-limited-hajj-this-year-307851">Amid coronavirus pandemic, Saudi Arabia to hold 'very limited' hajj this year</a>

He said WHO is now supporting many countries in dealing with difficulties obtaining oxygen concentrators, devices that boost the flow of oxygen to support the breathing of COVID-19 sufferers. "Demand is outstripping supply," he said.

Dr Mike Ryan, head of the WHO emergencies programme, said the pandemic for many countries in the Americas had not yet peaked, and that it was "still intense", especially in Central and South America.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/latin-america-and-caribbean-pass-100000-coronavirus-deaths-report-308107" hreflang="en">Latin America and Caribbean pass 100,000 coronavirus deaths: Report</a>

"I would characterise the situation as still evolving, not having reached its peak yet, and likely to result in sustained numbers of cases and deaths in the coming weeks," Ryan said.

Many countries in the region have experienced 25-50 per cent&nbsp;increases in cases in the last week, he said.

World Health Organization Director General Tedros Adhanom said on Wednesday he expected the number of novel coronavirus cases around the world, now at about 9.3 million, to reach 10 million next week.

World Health Organization Director General Tedros Adhanom said on Wednesday he expected the number of novel coronavirus cases around the world, now at about 9.3 million, to reach 10 million next week. Tedros also told a news briefing he backed Saudi Arabia's decision to ban pilgrims from abroad from attending the annual Haj pilgrimage to help limit the spread of the virus. Also read: Amid coronavirus pandemic, Saudi Arabia to hold 'very limited' hajj this year He said WHO is now supporting many countries in dealing with difficulties obtaining oxygen concentrators, devices that boost the flow of oxygen to support the breathing of COVID-19 sufferers. "Demand is outstripping supply," he said. Dr Mike Ryan, head of the WHO emergencies programme, said the pandemic for many countries in the Americas had not yet peaked, and that it was "still intense", especially in Central and South America. Also read: Latin America and Caribbean pass 100,000 coronavirus deaths: Report "I would characterise the situation as still evolving, not having reached its peak yet, and likely to result in sustained numbers of cases and deaths in the coming weeks," Ryan said. Many countries in the region have experienced 25-50 per cent increases in cases in the last week, he said.

WHO director Tedros expects world to hit 10 million coronavirus cases next week