WHO DG Dr Tedros explained that each wave of the virus leaves more people with long-COVID or post-COVID condition

NEW DELHI, July 8 (The CONNECT) -A new sub lineage of Omicron BA.2.75 has been detected In India, The World Health Organisation said stating it is following it.

Addressing a virtual global media conference from Geneva, WHO director general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, world over reported COVID cases have increased nearly 30% over the past two weeks. Four out of six of the WHO subregions saw cases increase in the last week.

Dr Tedros said “In Europe and America, BA.4 and BA.5 are driving waves. In countries like India a new sub lineage of BA.2.75 has also been detected, which we’re following.”

Meanwhile, India reported 18,815 new cases recorded in the last 24 hours ended at 9.40 AM today, an official statement said. The daily positivity rate of 4.96% with 3,79,470 tests having been conducted in the last 24 hours. The total test number has crossed 86.57 crores, so far.

Dr Tedros explained that each wave of the virus leaves more people with long-COVID or post-COVID conditions. This obviously impacts individuals and their families but it also puts an extra burden on health systems, the wider economy and society-at-large. These challenges require action at a global, national and local level, he said.

Discussing factors that are compounding the challenge of the fight against the virus, he said first of all testing has reduced dramatically in many countries. This obscures the true picture of an evolving virus and the real burden of COVID-19 disease globally. It also means that treatments are not given early enough to prevent serious illness and/or death.  

“Second, new treatments, especially promising new oral antivirals, are still not reaching low- and low-middle income countries, depriving whole populations that need them,” he regretted.

Third, as the virus evolves, vaccine protection – while still really effective at preventing serious disease and death – does wane, Dr Tedros pointed out.

Governments, scientists, manufacturers, WHO and citizens themselves all have their part to play, he said.