Is Covid back? Biden, Mahathir, Kerry Washington and others affected. Here's what WHO said
Joe Biden tested positive for Covid-19
Recently, US President Joe Biden, 81, tested positive for Covid-19, months before the upcoming Presidential Elections 2024. The White House released a statement that Biden has tested positive and is self-isolating after experiencing “mild symptoms.”
Actor Kerry Washington also tested positive for Covid-19 after which she had to skip the comedy TV series ‘UnPrisoned’ Season 2 premiere. She shared the news with fans on her social media.
She wrote in the caption, “Soooooooooo I have COVID and I won’t be able to make it to the @unprisonedhulu season 2 premiere tonight in NYC. I’m not sure what’s worse right now, being sick with COVID or being sick with FOMO.”
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Similarly, Malaysia’s 99-year-old former prime minister, Dr Mahathir Mohamad was admitted to hospital on July 18 for coughing. The official spokesman did not reveal further details on his condition, but some reports claim that he might also be tested for Covid-19.
Is Covid-19 back? Here’s what WHO has said.
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WHO cautions of COVID-19 threat ahead of summer holidays
The World Health Organisation cautioned people not to forget that Covid-19 is still widespread and deadly, killing 1,700 people every week across the globe.
The WHO has warned that anyone planning a summer holiday this year should take Covid precautions, including a vaccine, mask, and testing.
According to a WHO statement on July 15 during the four-week reporting period from May 27 to June 23, 2024, the SARS-CoV-2 PCR per cent positivity increased from 5.6 to 7.1 per cent across 84 countries. During this period, 16,888 specimens were tested for SARS-CoV-2 each week.
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The KP.3 and LB.1, descendent lineages of JN.1 and variants under monitoring (VUMs) showed an increasing prevalence globally, especially in the US.
WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus issued a warning, stating that vaccination rates among health professionals and the over-60s are falling alarmingly.These two demographics are at the highest risk of dying from Covid-19.
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“WHO recommends that people in the highest-risk groups receive a COVID-19 vaccine within 12 months of their last dose,” Tedros said.
Even in the UK, some hospitals have reinstated the requirement for mask wearers, and others are requesting that anyone with Covid-19 symptoms who does not need medical attention avoid the area.
(With inputs from agencies)