WORLD:#
The World Health Organization on Saturday called for stringent implementation of public health and social measures as Covid-19 cases surged in most countries in the South-East Asia region, with some nations witnessing an exponential rise.
“All preventive and protective measures must be implemented with full earnestness by one and all. Authorities must implement situation-specific measures to arrest the further spread of the virus. People must adhere to these measures. Masks, hand hygiene, cough etiquette, ventilation and physical distancing is an absolute must,” said Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia Region.
Though the Omicron variant of Covid-19 may appear to be less severe, it should not be dismissed as ‘mild’, she said. The highly infectious variant, which has emerged as the most predominant one, is already overwhelming health systems around the world, she pointed out, adding that globally the Omicron variant has led to hospitalisations and deaths.
We must also not forget that not every Covid-19 case is an Omicron infection. Other variants including Delta are also circulating which, as we know, causes severe infections and deaths,” the Regional Director said. Each positive case of Covid-19 should, hence, be a cause of concern.
