The World Health Organisation (WHO) has assured countries of the world that the end of COVID-19 is near.
It said governments across the world cannot afford to slow down in their interventions, investments and response activities to the disease.
WHO also urged countries to invest in vaccinating 100 per cent of the most vulnerable groups, particularly health workers and the elderly, in the efforts to achieve 70 per cent COVID-19 vaccination coverage before the end of the year.
The global health body urged countries to ramp up testing and sequencing, increase disease surveillance, integrate COVID-19 into their primary health care systems, make available adequate supplies, equipment and health workers, and prepare for surges in cases.
The WHO Director General, Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, stated this yesterday at a virtual briefing on COVID-19, monkeypox and other global health issues.
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He said: “Last week, the number of weekly reported deaths from COVID-19 was the lowest since March 2020. We have never been in a better position to end the pandemic. We are not there yet, but the end is in sight. We can see the finish line, and we are in a winning position.
“But now is the worst time to stop running. Now is the time to run harder and make sure we cross the line and reap the rewards of all our hard work. If we don’t take the opportunity now, we run the risk of more variants, deaths, disruptions and uncertainty. Let’s seize this opportunity.
“Today, WHO is releasing six short policy briefs that outline the key actions that all governments must take now to finish the race. It is a summary based on evidence and experience of the last 32 months of what works best to save lives, protect health systems and avoid social and economic disruption.
“This is an urgent call for governments to take a hard look at their policies and strengthen them for COVID-19 and future pathogens with pandemic potential.
“Keep testing and sequencing for SARS-COV-2, and integrate surveillance and test services with those for other respiratory diseases, including influenza.”
Commenting on monkeypox, Ghebreyesus said: “Meanwhile, the downward trend of the global monkeypox outbreak is continuing. But as with COVID-19, this is not the time to relax or let down our guard. This is the time for all affected countries and communities to keep doing what is working. We especially urge affected countries to share genome sequences so we can better understand how the virus is evolving.”