WHO "90% of the Global Population Has Some Immunity to COVID-19"

"End of Emergency Near but Still Premature"
8,500 Deaths Last Week... "Need to Reduce Cross-National Quarantine Gaps"

The World Health Organization (WHO) has diagnosed that over 90% of the global population has immunity to COVID-19. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Gyumin] The World Health Organization (WHO) has diagnosed that more than 90% of the global population has immunity to COVID-19.

On the 2nd (local time), WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated, "WHO estimates that at least 90% of the world's population has some level of immunity to the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) due to vaccination or previous infection."

However, he urged that vigilance against the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic should not be relaxed. Director-General Tedros emphasized, "It is true that we are getting closer to ending the COVID-19 public health emergency, but it is not over yet."

He viewed the gaps in systems to suppress COVID-19 spread and support public health as a serious concern. He pointed out, "Gaps in COVID-19 surveillance, testing, and vaccination create the perfect conditions for the emergence of new variants that can cause high mortality rates."

Director-General Tedros explained that there are currently more than 500 Omicron subvariants, noting that while these variants may be less severe, they are more transmissible. He also warned again, reporting that over 8,500 people died from COVID-19 last week. He stated, "Entering the third year of the COVID-19 outbreak, it is unacceptable to have such deaths when we have somewhat learned how to prevent infections and save lives."