The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated that at least 90% of the global population developed some level of immunity to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
Last Saturday marked a year since the global health body announced the Omicron variant as a concern.
The WHO said the more transmissible omicron variant continues to cause significant mortality due to the intensity of its transmission.
Director general, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, said the number of weekly deaths reported declined slightly over the past five weeks.
“More than 8,500 people lost their lives last week which is not acceptable – three years into the pandemic – when we have so many tools to prevent infections and save lives”, he said.
Ghebreyesus said the world was much closer to being able to say the emergency phase of the pandemic was over, but he warned a new variant of concern could cause significant mortality.
“Gaps in surveillance, testing, sequencing, and vaccination, are continuing to create the perfect conditions for a new variant of concern to emerge. WHO continues to urge all countries to take a risk-based approach that protects, both, public health and human rights”, he said.
-EWN
In other news – Lerato Kganyago reveals she’s somebody’s wife, slams failed marriage rumours
Mzansi media personality Lerato Kganyago is undoubtedly Mzansi’s queen of clap backs. The star has been in showbiz for over a decade now, and she continues to mesmerize her fans with her talent.
With her accomplishments, people are often interested in her personal life and she constantly finds herself having to set the record straight from trolls who spew hate on her platforms. Lerato recently came out guns blazing to defend rumours of her failed marriage as they keep intensifying. Learn More
