Data from various sources indicates increased transmission of COVID-19 in December 2023 boosted by large gatherings during the Christmas holidays.
The Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, said this on Wednesday during an online media conference.
He said that the JN.1 variant was the most commonly reported globally.
He added that “although COVID-19 is no longer a global health emergency, the virus is still circulating, changing and killing.
“Almost 10,000 deaths from COVID-19 were reported to WHO in December, and a 42 percent increase in hospitalisations, 62 percent increase in ICU admissions, compared with November.”
Ghebreyesus said that the reported data were from less than 50 countries, mostly in Europe and the Americas, “but there are also increases in other countries that are not reported.
“Therefore, just as governments and individuals take precautions against other diseases, we must all continue to take precautions against COVID-19.
“Although 10,000 deaths a month is far less than the peak of the pandemic, this level of preventable death is not acceptable.”
Ghebreyesus called on governments to maintain surveillance and sequencing and to ensure access to affordable and reliable tests, treatments, and vaccines for their populations.
He said WHO will continue to call on individuals to be vaccinated, wear masks where needed, and to ensure crowded indoor spaces are well-ventilated.
According to the WHO boss, although COVID-19 is no longer a global health emergency, there are many other emergencies to which WHO is responding, including in Gaza, Ukraine, Ethiopia, and Sudan.
He announced that the organisation will on Jan. 15, release its Health Emergency Appeal for 2024. The appeal would outline how much will be required to protect the health of the most vulnerable people in 41 emergencies globally.
He said that in 2024, WHO aimed to reach almost 90 million people with lifesaving support, adding that “the year will be a test for humanity; a test of whether we give into division, suspicion, and narrow nationalism, or whether we can rise above our differences and seek the common good.
“Despite many challenges we face, I remain an optimist.
“WHO remains committed to doing everything it can to promote, provide, and protect the health of the world’s people, this year and every year.”