Any premature lifting of restrictions imposed to control the Covid-19 pandemic could lead to a fatal resurgence of the new coronavirus, the World Health Organization warned Friday.
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that while some states were considering ways to ease the restrictions which have placed around half of humanity under some form of lockdown, doing so too quickly could be dangerous.
“I know that some countries are already planning the transition out of stay-at-home restrictions. WHO wants to see restrictions lifted as much as anyone,” he told a virtual press conference in Geneva.
“At the same time, lifting restrictions too quickly could lead to a deadly resurgence. The way down can be as dangerous as the way up if not managed properly.
“WHO is working with affected countries on strategies for gradually and safely easing restrictions.”
Tedros spelled out six factors that should be considered before restrictions could be safely eased.
LIVE | Global death toll has now passed 100 000
He said that transmission would have to be controlled; sufficient public health services made available; outbreak risks in care homes minimised; preventative measures imposed in workplaces and schools; virus importation risks managed; and communities made aware of and engaged in the transition.
Africa acceleration
The global death toll has gone over 100,000.
More than 1.6 million infections have been recorded globally, according to an AFP tally, since the virus first emerged in China in December.
Tedros welcomed signs that its spread was slowing in some of the hardest-hit countries in Europe — citing Spain, Italy, Germany and France.
But he also warned of an “alarming acceleration” of the virus elsewhere, highlighting Africa, where he said it was beginning to emerge in rural areas.
“We are now seeing clusters of cases and community spread in more than 16 countries” on the continent, the former Ethiopian health minister said.
“We anticipate severe hardship for already overstretched health systems, particularly in rural areas, which normally lack the resources of those in cities.”
READ | ANALYSIS: Covid-19 and the redemption of Zweli Mkhize, the ultimate political survivor
Tedros said that even the countries with the world’s strongest health systems had been caught by surprise by Covid-19. He urged them to reinforce their healthcare provision rather than plunge into a “cycle of panic and neglect”.
In many countries, “we’re now in a phase of panic because there is this dangerous, invisible virus which is wreaking havoc,” he said.
“But that should actually lead into asking questions on what to do to strengthen our system.
“No country is immune.”
Exit strategy
The WHO director-general also said he was particularly concerned by the large numbers of cases being recorded among health workers — with more than 10 percent reportedly infected in some nations.
“When health workers are at risk, we’re all at risk,” he said.
Tedros said evidence from some countries, including China, Italy and the United States, showed that health workers were being infected outside healthcare facilities, in their homes and communities.
READ | People in Wuhan celebrate traffic jams as the once coronavirus epicentre lifts lockdown
Switching to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, he said a new case had been reported, just three days before a deadline that would have marked the official end to the long epidemic.
WHO emergencies director Michael Ryan said some 2,600 alerts were still being investigated every day in the DRC, with thousands of samples taken every week.
“Maybe that’s our lesson for Covid-19: there is no exit strategy until you’re in control of the situation, and you must always be ready to go back again and start again,” he said.
505266 566334Wow, superb weblog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you make blogging appear easy. The overall appear of your web site is magnificent, as well as the content material! xrumer 63488
942180 391883Extremely intriguing topic , thanks for putting up. 826338
313757 202083Great post, thank you so significantly for sharing. Do you happen to have an RSS feed I can subscribe to? 576852
748818 194395Conveyancing […]we like to honor other websites on the internet, even if they arent related to us, by linking to them. Below are some web sites worth checking out[…] 414576
934900 181171I enjoyed reading this a lot I genuinely hope to read far more of your posts in the future, so Ive bookmarked your blog. But I couldnt just bookmark it, oh no.. When I see quality websites like this 1, I like to share it with others So Ive created a backlink to your web site (from 83496
56250 810359I havent checked in here for some time because I thought it was finding boring, but the last couple of posts are genuinely excellent quality so I guess Ill add you back to my everyday bloglist. You deserve it my friend. insurance guides 257783
324585 123565Really fighter messages are supposed to amuse offer praise into the groom and bride. Initial time audio system watching over the top places really should also remember you see, the senior guideline with the speaking, which is your certain person. finest man speeches brother 315796
696193 326987Merely wanna state that this is very beneficial , Thanks for taking your time to write this. 391734
55004 4017Today, I went to the beachfront with my kids. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She placed the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is completely off topic but I had to tell someone! 96220
183838 603488Excellent weblog here! following reading, i decide to buy a sleeping bag ASAP 264477
302673 705625I discovered your blog site on google and verify a few of your early posts. Continue to sustain up the superb operate. I basically extra up your RSS feed to my MSN News Reader. Seeking for forward to reading extra from you in a while! 641657