WHO warns COVID-19 infections are rising fast globally
The UN health agency WHO confirmed on Friday that coronavirus numbers are spiking globally and that we “should expect more cases” in the coming winter months in the northern hemisphere.
The latest data from the World Health Organization covering the four weeks to 17 December indicated a 52 per cent increase in infections compared with the previous 28-days.
That amounts to 850,000 new COVID-19 cases reported, but the true figure is likely much higher, according to WHO spokesperson Christian Lindmeier:
“You know that all throughout the world and you've seen it in many of your own countries, the reporting has dropped, the surveillance centers have dropped, the vaccination centers have dropped, have been dismantled as well or shut down,” he told reporters in Geneva.
“This, of course, leads to an incomplete picture and we should expect unfortunately more cases than we have officially reported.”
Most infections have been caused by a new COVID strain called JN.1 which is now under close scrutiny by the UN health agency as a “variant of interest”.
JN.1 was reportedly first detected in the United States before spreading across dozens of countries.
It evolved from the Omicron variant which was linked to a peak in COVID infections in 2022.
IBNS
Senior Staff Reporter at Northeast Herald, covering news from Tripura and Northeast India.
Related Articles
Delhi awaits rain after cloud-seeding trial to curb severe air pollution
The cloud-seeding trial aimed at inducing rainfall in pollution-hit Delhi has been completed, officials said on Monday, as the national capital continues to struggle with a thick blanket of toxic smog.
Hurricane Melissa: US Air Force flies into eye of storm, collects data
The 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron of the United States Air Force conducted a daring mission into Hurricane Melissa, as it moved towards Jamaica, capturing footage inside the storm, termed as one of the most powerful to hit the region this year.
Cyclone Montha to make landfall today, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh on alert
The evacuation process has been heightened across Odisha and Andhra Pradesh with Cyclonic Storm “Montha” moving towards the coast and likely to make landfall between Kakinada between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam on Tuesday evening.
Vijaya Diagnostic Centre inaugurates State-of-the-Art Centre featuring first advanced 3 Tesla MRI in Kolkata
Kolkata/IBNS: Vijaya Diagnostic Centre, India’s largest B2C-focused integrated diagnostic chain, on Thursday announced the grand opening of its state-of-the-art diagnostic centre in Kasba, Kolkata.
Latest News
Govt allocates Rs 7,149 Cr for ADC development in 2025–26: CM
Tripura cabinet approves two vital schemes for girl child, minorities
AI and Internet should be used for people’s welfare: CM
Bharat Scouts & Guides rendered voluntary services at stations during Chhath Puja