'Alarming rise': Nearly 10,000 died from Covid-19 last month, WHO says

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a concerning rise in Covid-19 cases and deaths last month, primarily attributed to holiday gatherings and the spread of the JN.1 variant, the most prominent strain globally. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the head of the UN health agency, announced in a virtual press briefing from Geneva that nearly 10,000 deaths were recorded in December.Additionally, hospital admissions surged by 42%, with intensive care unit (ICU) admissions increasing by 62% compared to the previous month.
This alarming trend was observed in data shared by nearly 50 countries, predominantly in Europe and the Americas. "Although 10,000 deaths a month is far less than the peak of the pandemic, this level of preventable deaths is not acceptable," Ghebreyesus said, emphasizing the ongoing threat posed by the virus. He expressed certainty that Covid-19 cases are rising in regions that have not been reporting their data.
The JN.1 variant, identified as an Omicron variant, is now the most widespread strain. Despite this, current vaccines are believed to still offer some protection against it. Maria Van Kerkhove, the technical lead at WHO for Covid-19, noted an increase in respiratory diseases globally, including flu, rhinovirus, and pneumonia, alongside the coronavirus. "We expect those trends to continue into January through the winter months in the northern hemisphere," she said, also acknowledging the rise in Covid-19 cases in the southern hemisphere, currently experiencing summer.
Van Kerkhove pointed out that this year has seen the co-circulation of various pathogens, contributing to the spike in respiratory illnesses. WHO officials are urging the public to get vaccinated, wear masks, and ensure proper ventilation in indoor spaces to mitigate the spread of the virus. Dr Michael Ryan, head of emergencies at WHO, highlighted the efficacy of vaccines, saying, “The vaccines may not stop you being infected, but the vaccines are certainly reducing significantly your chance of being hospitalized or dying.”
Despite the declaration that Covid-19 no longer constitutes a global health emergency, Ghebreyesus warned that the virus continues to circulate, evolve, and cause fatalities. The WHO's message is clear: vigilance and preventive measures are crucial in combating the ongoing pandemic.