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June 11, 2020 More than 100,000 new cases of Covid-19 recorded every day for most of the past two weeks and nearly three-quarters of infections in 10 countries, mostly in the Americas and South Asia. WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, in the briefing held today in Geneva and reported by the Guardian. "There are over 7 million cases of Covid-19 registered to date, and more than 408,000 deaths - he said - although the situation in Europe is improving, it is worsening worldwide. There are over 100,000 new cases registered every day for most of the past two weeks. Almost 75% of new cases come from 10 countries, mostly in the Americas and South Asia. Many countries in the African region are also experiencing an increase, although so far, in most cases, it is still relatively small. We are also seeing an increase in the number of cases in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. "

In Africa, the number of Covid-19 cases has doubled in less than 20 days, now more than 207,000, and "even if it represents less than 3% of the world total, it is clear that the pandemic is accelerating" explained the director of the WHO Office for Africa, Matshidiso Moeti.

"Recurring epidemic waves"
"WHO, together with its partners, continues to work to plan any scenario. Although it is not known how the pandemic will evolve, based on current evidence, the most plausible scenario is that of recurrent epidemic waves interspersed with low-level transmission periods. " A spokesman for the World Health Organization (WHO), Tarik Jašarević explains to Adnkronos Salute when asked about a possible second wave of new coronavirus infections.

"Continue to detect and test suspected cases, isolate and treat confirmed cases" 
"We cannot assume that the 'downward' trend of the disease" is observed in some areas of the world, unfortunately unlike in others, continues Jašarević, " naturally verified. All this happened thanks to the severe public health measures put in place by the countries to break the chain of transmission in the communities. We hope to be able to maintain levels equally low over time. But the world is still grappling with a great wave of Covid-19 pandemic and there is no room for complacency. All countries, including those that are registering fewer cases and easing restrictions, must continue to detect and test suspect cases, isolate and treat confirmed cases and track down all their contacts; promoting adequate hygiene practices; protecting health workers; increasing the capacity of their health system. "

"More than 130 vaccines are being studied globally" 
The world is fighting, but it is also waiting to have the weapon by definition against the virus: a vaccine: "The development of a vaccine - recalls the WHO spokesman - generally takes several years Although times are speeding up, it will take time. WHO is working with partners around the world to speed up research and development of a safe and effective vaccine and ensure fair access to the billions of people who use it. they will need. The first vaccine study started just 60 days after the virus' genetic sequence was shared by China - an incredible achievement. Today more than 130 vaccines are being studied globally, 10 of which are clinical and several in the pre-evaluation phase. WHO is committed to ensuring that as medicines and vaccines are developed, they are shared equally with all countries and people. "

"Asymptomatic? More data is needed to better understand how transmission occurs."
Clarifications also come to contagion from asymptomatics: "We need more data to better understand how transmission occurs. Current evidence suggests that most infections occur from people who are symptomatic to others with whom they have been in close contact. It is not yet known how many of these infections are caused by people without symptoms. During the press conference on June 8, when Maria Van Kerkhove, technical manager for the coronavirus of the 'WHO said that asymptomatic transmission is very rare, its response referred to a subset of studies and data shared by some Member States. In those studies, in which asymptomatic cases were followed, it emerged as' very rare' find a secondary transmission. " 

We work to better understand organism response to this virus
Then space to the topic of immunity. "We expect - Jašarević assures - that most people infected with Covid-19 develop an antibody response that can provide a certain level of protection. What we do not know yet is the level of protection or how long it will last. We are working with scientists around the world to better understand the body's response to this virus, but so far, no study has answered these important questions. for this reason, there can be no 'passport immunity' or 'certificate of no risk'. 

Masks recommended to the sick, health and where no distancing is possible
Finally, the masks: "WHO - he remembers - has updated its guidelines on the use of masks, incorporating new research results: the use of medical masks is recommended for people with Covid-19 disease, caregivers at home and healthcare professionals when treating suspected or confirmed Covid-19 patients. In diffuse transmission areas, the WHO advises all people who work in the clinical areas of a healthcare facility to wear a mask; in areas with transmission within the community, people aged 60 and over, or those with chronic diseases, must wear a mask in situations where physical distancing is not possible.

"" Governments - he reiterates in conclusion Jašarević - should encourage the general public to wear masks where there is widespread transmission and physical distancing is difficult, for example on public transport, in shops or in other confined or crowded environments. According to the WHO, however, the masks are part of a 'package' of infection prevention and control measures along with physical spacing and hand hygiene. The use of a mask alone is not enough to provide an adequate level of protection. "

WHO does not want to speculate on a pandemic that started in August
The World Health Organization (WHO) will take into consideration all the information but does not want to speculate on the fact that the coronavirus epidemic potentially started in August rather than December, as is generally believed, WHO executive director of WHO's Emergency Emergencies Program said, Michael Ryan. Earlier this week, several media outlets reported that reported a Harvard Medical School study that suggested that coronavirus may have spread to China as early as August 2019.