Thread by @cnnphilippines

THREAD: The World Health Organization (@WHO) holds a media briefing on #COVID19 and other global health issues with Director General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

@WHO Watch here: twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1…

"Globally, reported #COVID19 cases and deaths continue to decline, which is very encouraging. Last week, just over 15,000 deaths were reported to WHO – the lowest weekly total since March 2020".@DrTedros

@DrTedros "This is a very welcome trend, but it’s one that we must welcome with some caution. As many countries reduce testing, WHO is receiving less & less information about transmission & sequencing. This makes us increasingly blind to patterns of transmission & evolution".@DrTedros

@DrTedros: "The threat of a dangerous new [#COVID19] variant remains very real – and although deaths are declining, we still don’t understand the long-term consequences of infection in those who survive."

@DrTedros @DrTedros: "When it comes to a deadly virus, ignorance is not bliss. WHO continues to call on all countries to maintain surveillance."

@DrTedros @DrTedros: "It was a great reminder of the power of vaccines to save lives – from #COVID19 and many other deadly diseases, including measles, meningitis, Ebola, polio and more."

@DrTedros @DrTedros: "This week is #WorldImmunizationWeek – an opportunity to highlight the incredible power of vaccines, not just to save lives, but in the words of this year’s theme, to offer the opportunity of “A #LongLifeForAll”."

@DrTedros @DrTedros:
"But around the world, the #COVID19 pandemic has caused severe disruptions to routine immunization programmes, putting millions of children’s lives at risk, and opening the door to fresh outbreaks of measles and polio."

@DrTedros @DrTedros: "One of WHO’s priorities is supporting countries to conduct catch-up campaigns to protect as many children as possible, as fast as possible."

@DrTedros @DrTedros:"Both #Nepal and #India are getting closer to vaccinating 70% of their populations against #COVID19 by the middle of the year, and they’re also rolling out boosters to the most vulnerable. As a result, both countries are now seeing a decoupling between cases and deaths"

@DrTedros @DrTedros
: This is the level of vaccination we need to see in all countries. Almost 60% of the world’s population has now completed a primary course of COVID-19 vaccination, but only 11% of the population of low-income countries.

@DrTedros @DrTedros: On Friday, WHO recommended the antiviral combination nirmatrelvir and ritonavir, also known as Paxlovid, for patients with mild or moderate COVID-19 that are at high-risk of hospitalisation."

@DrTedros .@DrTedros: "This treatment helps prevent hospitalisations & is easy to administer. However, several challenges are limiting its impact. It's largely not available in low- & middle-income countries, & requires prompt & accurate testing before administration."

@DrTedros .@DrTedros: I’m pleased that next month, 🇺🇸 @POTUS will hold a Global #COVID19 Summit with world leaders, to maintain the high-level attention that this ongoing pandemic deserves

@DrTedros @POTUS .@DrTedros: It will take all countries, regardless of income level, to commit to steps that can bring the #COVID19 pandemic to an end, end inequities, save lives, prevent suffering, and help get economies back on track