Navy Reserve Unit Gets Disaster Response Equipment From Church Group

Nakikipagtulungan ang Navy Reserve Unit at simbahan para sa mas mahusay na pagtugon sa mga disaster relief efforts.

Budget-Friendly Ilocos Destinations Eyed To Lure More Visitors

Ang mga bagong budget-friendly na destinasyon sa Ilocos ay inaasahang magdadala ng mas maraming bisita sa mga susunod na buwan.

Kalbario-Patapat Natural Park: Haven For Nature Lovers, Adventurers

Kalbario-Patapat Natural Park, kilala sa mga nature lovers at adventurers, ay tahanan ng mayamang kagubatan at ang endangered na Kalaw sa hilagang Luzon.

Aparri Marine Research Hub To Boost Blue Economy, Coastal Livelihood

Sa pagtatayo ng marine research hub sa Aparri, may pag-asa para sa mas maginhawang kabuhayan ng mga tao sa pampang.

World Health Organization: Covid-19 Still International Health Emergency

Even with the low death rate, the World Health Organization still considers Covid-19 as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

World Health Organization: Covid-19 Still International Health Emergency

15
15

How do you feel about this story?

Like
Love
Haha
Wow
Sad
Angry

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday said Covid-19 is still a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), the WHO’s highest alert level.

The announcement came although the number of weekly deaths is almost at its lowest level since the pandemic began.

The WHO’s International Health Regulations Emergency Committee said after its quarterly assessment meeting last week that despite a decline in severe cases of Covid-19, and the falling number of weekly deaths, deaths from Covid-19 nevertheless remain high compared with other respiratory viruses.

It also warned of Covid-19-related complications and post-Covid-19 conditions, with the full impact of these still not completely understood.

The outbreak could also evolve during the upcoming winter season in the Northern Hemisphere, the committee said.

Meanwhile, the current gaps in global surveillance of Covid-19 have hindered early identification and evaluation of the virus’ evolution.

With the virus expected to continue evolving, the committee said the genetic and antigenic characteristics of future variants cannot yet be reliably predicted.

Evolving variants may pose challenges to current vaccines and therapeutics, the committee warned.

“Given the above considerations, the committee concurred that continued coordination of the international response is necessary,” and considered that “the situation remains dynamic and requires frequent reassessments, and that the termination of the PHEIC, when considered feasible, should be implemented as safely as possible.”

The committee recommended that there should be three key priorities in the future: strengthening surveillance and achieving vaccination targets for at risk-groups; continuing to increase access to affordable therapeutics; and strengthening pandemic preparedness planning, while continuing to protect the most at-risk groups. (PNA)