The global COVID-19 total passed 3 million cases today, and with trends in flux in different parts of the world, the World Health Organization (WHO) director-general today warned that the pandemic is far from over.
It took just 12 days for the pandemic total to soar from 2 million to 3 million. Though much of the recent rise in cases is related to brisk activity in the United States, outbreaks are accelerating in other parts of the world, such as Russia and South America.
The global total stands at 3,029,452 infections in 185 countries, with 210,370 deaths, according to the Johns Hopkins online dashboard.
Increasing trends in 4 global regions
At a media telebriefing today, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, PhD, said that, as new cases in Europe decline and countries scale back their lockdowns, the WHO recommends finding, isolating, testing, and treating every case and tracing all contacts to ensure that outbreak declines continue.
"But the pandemic is far from over," he said "WHO continues to be concerned about the increasing trends in Africa, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and some Asian countries." And he warned that in many regions, the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths are underreported because nations don't have enough testing capacity.
Tedros also said the WHO is worried about the pandemic's secondary effects on other groups, such as children who face interruptions in routine vaccination programs against other diseases and populations at risk for malaria who may be affected by delays in public health measures, such as prophylactic treatment, to keep disease levels low.
In another WHO development, health officials over the weekend clarified its recent scientific brief about "immunity certificates" and antibody testing. On Twitter yesterday, the WHO said it expects that most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will develop an antibody response that provides some level of protection.
"What we don't yet know is the level of protection or how long it will last," the WHO said. "We are working with scientists around the world to better understand the body's response to COVID-19 infection. So far, no studies have answered these important questions."
At today's briefing, Maria Van Kerkhove, PhD, the WHO's technical lead for COVID-19, said studies are also under way to assess the accuracy of the antibody tests, many of which have recently entered the market.
Italy unveils plan to lift restrictions
In Italy, the first country outside of China to experience a massive outbreak, cases and deaths are slowly declining, and the country's prime minister said yesterday that the country will begin a phased lifting of its measures on May 4, NPR reported.
The plan would reopen parks, allow people to visit relatives, and allow small funerals. If the outbreak doesn't worsen, museum and stores could reopen and sports teams could resume training starting on May 18. Restaurants, cafes, and hair salons would reopen on Jun 1, with schools resuming in September.
The plan didn't cover regular religious worship services, and after Catholic bishops aired their concerns, the prime minister said its office would release details soon.
In Germany, where cases and deaths are also on the decline, the government is slowly easing restrictions, but cloth face masks are mandatory on public transport and in shops in most of the country's states, the BBC reported.
Russia's total passes China's
Elsewhere, Russia's surge continues, with 6,198 more cases reported today, making it the latest country to pass China's total. However, so far, Russia has reported far fewer deaths.
Russia's lockdown is slated to expire on Apr 30, and so far it's not clear if it will be extended. According to Reuters, though the head of the country's safety watchdog Rospotrebnadzor has recommended keeping restrictions through May 12, the government is considering proposals to ease some curbs on businesses.
To cope with rising illness numbers, Moscow, the main outbreak epicenter, has plans to open two temporary hospitals, with St Petersburg also planning a similar facility.
Japan weighs extending emergency
Japan's government, meanwhile, is considering extending the country's state of emergency beyond May 6, Japan Times reported. The country's hot spot is Tokyo, though several prefectures are also battling outbreaks. Kyodo News reports that Japan has expanded an entry ban to 14 more countries, including Russia, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
Also, the country's president today signaled that officials may approve the antiviral drug remdesivir for treating patients with COVID-19. Japan reported 201 more cases today, the health ministry said, down slightly from 210 yesterday.
In other global developments:
- The United Kingdom's National Health Service has sent an urgent alert to doctors warning them about a rise over the last 2 to 3 weeks in a multisystem inflammatory condition that requires intensive care in children with COVID-19, the UK-based Health Service Journal Officials raised concerns about an emerging condition in UK kids or perhaps a coinfection with another unknown pathogen.
- Muslims in some parts of Indonesia have gathered at mosques to take part in evening Ramadan prayers, despite warnings from the government and religious groups that the practice could spread COVID-19, the Jakarta Post
- New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said yesterday that the country has "eliminated" the virus, with just one new case reported yesterday, the BBC Experts have praised New Zealand's success, due to early strict measures and the government's teamwork messaging to the public. Also, the country is small and has more control over its borders.
- Animal health officials in the Netherlands said yesterday that minks at two commercial farms have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 in people. The animals were showing symptoms, which included respiratory problems. An investigation is under way into the infections, but employees at both companies had symptoms, and sick people probably passed the virus to the minks. The statement on the mink illnesses said a recent study showed that ferrets were susceptible to the virus.
