GENEVA — The World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Tuesday that COVID-19 cases are increasing globally, while vaccine coverage is alarmingly declining.
“The virus is circulating in all countries,” said Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO director for epidemic and pandemic preparedness and prevention, at a UN press briefing in Geneva.
Data from WHO’s sentinel-based surveillance system across 84 countries shows a rise in the percentage of positive tests for SARS-CoV-2 for several weeks. Overall, test positivity is above 10%, varying by region, with Europe seeing over 20%.
Wastewater surveillance suggests virus circulation is 2-20 times higher than reported, posing a risk of a more severe virus that could evade detection and medical interventions, including vaccines.
“Such high circulation is not ‘typical’ for respiratory viruses that tend to increase in colder months,” Kerkhove noted, highlighting that recent surges have occurred regardless of the season. At least 40 athletes at the Olympics have tested positive.
These surges, leading to increased hospitalizations and deaths, need to be prevented, she stressed.
Vaccination Decline Needs Reversal
Kerkhove urged countries to consider co-administering COVID-19 and seasonal influenza vaccines due to the decline in COVID-19 vaccination rates.
“Over the last two years, we have seen an alarming decline in vaccine coverage, especially among health workers and people over 60, two of the most at-risk groups,” she said. “This urgently needs to be turned around.”
She reminded high-risk groups to get a COVID-19 vaccine within 12 months of their last dose and called on governments to support global efforts to understand virus circulation and impact. Governments should also equip populations with tools to protect themselves and care for those with acute and long-term COVID-19 effects.
“WHO urges countries to continue to enhance their pandemic preparedness, readiness, and response systems to be ready for surges of COVID-19 as well as other emerging pathogens like avian influenza H5N1, mpox, and dengue,” she concluded.–News Desk