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The World Health Organization has warned that, despite flying under the radar, the coronavirus disease remains a severe hazard.
WHO also observed that about 10,000 COVID-19 deaths were reported in December, stating data from several sources pointed to increasing transmission last month, fueled by gatherings over the Christmas holiday season and by the JN.1 strain, which is currently the most widely reported around the world.
WHO Chief Tedros Ghebreyesus said: “Although COVID-19 is no longer a global health emergency, the virus is still circulating, changing, and killing."
According to AFP, in addition to the over 10,000 deaths recorded by the WHO last month, there was a 42% increase in hospitalizations and a 62% increase in intensive care unit admissions compared to November.
However, the figures are based on data from less than 50 countries, mostly in Europe and the Americas, Tedros said.
“It is certain that there are also increases in other countries that are not being reported.
“Just as governments and individuals take precautions against other diseases, we must all continue to take precautions against COVID-19.
“Although 10,000 deaths a month is far less than the peak of the pandemic, this level of preventable death is not acceptable,” Tedros said, urging governments to maintain virus surveillance and sequencing and to ensure access to affordable and reliable tests, treatments, and vaccines.
“And we continue to call on individuals to be vaccinated, to test, to wear masks where needed, and to ensure crowded indoor spaces are well-ventilated.”
