Thread by @cnnphilippines

THREAD: The World Health Organization holds a briefing on the coronavirus pandemic.

Read more here: bitly.ws/e2ap

WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus: Globally, we continue to see encouraging signs in the trajectory of the pandemic. The number of new cases of #COVID19 reported to WHO has now declined for 6 weeks, and deaths have declined for 5 weeks.

@DrTedros: However, we still see a mixed picture around the world. The number of deaths reported last week increased in 3 out of WHO’s 6 regions: Africa, the Americas and the Western Pacific.

@DrTedros @DrTedros: "Increasingly, we see a two-track pandemic: many countries still face an extremely dangerous situation, while some of those with the highest vaccination rates are starting to talk about ending restrictions.

@DrTedros @DrTedros: "In countries with the greatest access to #COVID19 vaccines, we are seeing a decline in mortality among older age group.

@DrTedros @DrTedros: In these countries, the public health and social measures that have helped to protect people are being eased, but they must be eased cautiously, and adjusted in line with viral circulation and response capacities.

@DrTedros @DrTedros: With the increased global transmission of variants of concern including the Delta variant, lifting restrictions too quickly could be disastrous for those who are not vaccinated.

@DrTedros @DrTedros: But many countries don’t have that option, because they don’t have enough #COVID19 vaccines. In these countries, the continued use of tailored public health measures is the best way to suppress transmission.

@DrTedros @DrTedros: The inequitable distribution of #COVID19 vaccines has allowed the virus to continue spreading, increasing the chances of a variant emerging that renders vaccines less effective.

@DrTedros @DrTedros: Six months since the first #COVID19 vaccines were administered, high-income countries have administered almost 44% of the 🌍’s doses. Low-income countries have administered just 0.4%. The most frustrating thing about this statistic is that it hasn’t changed in months.

@DrTedros @DrTedros: Inequitable vaccination is a threat to all nations, not just those with the fewest vaccines.

@DrTedros @DrTedros: Several countries have made significant pledges to share [#COVID19 vaccine] doses. We’re grateful to those countries and we look forward to those pledges being fulfilled in June and July.

@DrTedros @DrTedros: At the #WHA74, I called for a massive global effort to vaccinate at least 10% of the population of all countries by September, and at least 30% by the end of the year.

@DrTedros @DrTedros: To reach these targets, we need an additional 250 million [#COVID19 vaccine] doses by September, and we need 100 million doses just in June and July.

@DrTedros @DrTedros: This weekend, the @G7 leaders will meet for their annual summit. These 7 nations have the power to meet these targets. I am calling on the G7 not just to commit to sharing doses, but to commit to sharing them in June & July.

@DrTedros: I also call on all manufacturers to give #COVAX first right of refusal on new volume of #COVID19 vaccines, or to commit 50% of their volumes to COVAX this year. COVAX is the best way to distribute vaccines quickly and equitably.

@DrTedros @DrTedros: Boosting manufacturing does not happen overnight, but the sooner we invest, the sooner production can start.

@DrTedros @DrTedros: Two months ago, WHO also issued a call for Expressions of Interest to establish an mRNA technology transfer hub, to facilitate increased global production of mRNA vaccines.

@DrTedros @DrTedros: We have received expressions of interest from a number of companies interested in transferring their technology and from a number of countries wanting to receive the technology and set up production plants.

@DrTedros @DrTedros: We are conducting a technical review and will soon engage in discussion with Member States and partners to start implementation.

@DrTedros @DrTedros: The biggest barrier to ending the #COVID19 pandemic remains sharing: of doses, of resources, of technology.