Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, World Health Organization (WHO)’s Director-General has warned against the “pandemic fatigue” as countries across the globe witnessed a new surge in COVID-19 infections.
“Many countries in the northern hemisphere are seeing a concerning rise in cases and hospitalizations,” the WHO Chief remarked in Geneva during his interaction with the media.
“Intensive care units are filling up to capacity in some places, particularly in Europe and North America.”
Since the beginning of the pandemic, more than 40 million people around the world have tested positive for the novel coronavirus with more than 1 million deaths attributed to the deadly pathogenic virus.
The WHO head remarked that he very well understood the “pandemic fatigue” that people were feeling as a result of lockdowns.
“Working from home, children being schooled remotely, not being able to celebrate milestones with friends and family or not being there to mourn loved ones – it’s tough and the fatigue is real,” Dr. Ghebreyesus stated.
But, the Director-General reiterated that “we cannot give up … Leaders must balance the disruption to lives and livelihoods with the need to protect health workers and health systems as intensive care fills up.”
Dr. Ghebreyesus also urged global leaders to follow the advice of experts and stop using the virus as a political football.
“Where there has been political division at the national level; where there has been blatant disrespect for science and health professionals, confusion has spread and cases and deaths have mounted,” Dr. Ghebreyesus remarked.
“This is why I have said repeatedly: stop the politicization of COVID-19.”
