Covid leading to ‘tsunami of cases’: WHO

Geneva, Dec 30 (Agency) Omicron and Delta variants of Covid-19 are “twin threats” and they are leading to a ‘tsunami of cases’, World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has said. He said on Wednesday: “Right now, Delta and Omicron are twin threats that are driving up cases to record numbers, which again is leading to spikes in hospitalisations and deaths.”

He added: “I am highly concerned that Omicron being more transmissible, circulating at the same time as Delta – is leading to a tsunami of cases. It is moving so quickly that, in addition to vaccination, public health social measures are also needed to stem the wave of infection.” The WHO chief urged the pharmaceutical manufacturers and leaders of “rich countries” to learn from Covid variants — Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta and now Omicron — and work together to reach 70 per cent vaccination coverage.