The head of the World Health Organization Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus refers to Omicron and Delta variants of COVID-19 as twin threats driving up cases in record numbers.

“Which is again leading to spikes in hospitalizations and deaths. I’m highly concerned that Omicron being more transmissible, circulating at the same time as Delta, is leading to a tsunami of cases.”

He says this will continue to put immense pressure on exhausted health care workers. He suggests the pressure on the health care system is also due to health care workers themselves getting sick.

The Director General of the WHO says vaccines need to be shared faster and more equitably among nations of the world. He describes it as a moral shame that not all countries in the world have 40 per cent of their population vaccinated against COVID-19. And he stresses that it has allowed the virus to circulate unchecked and to mutate.

He says the emphasis on boosters in rich countries could cause low income countries to fall short, again and Dr. Ghebreyesus  is calling on the leaders of government and industry join a campaign which will set a target to have 70 per cent vaccine coverage in every country in the world by the start of July.

“I call on leaders of rich countries and manufacturers to learn the lessons of Alpha Beta, Delta, Gamma and now Omicron and work together to reach the 70 per cent vaccination coverage.”

He says ending health inequity remains the key to ending the pandemic.

“As this pandemic drags on it is possible that new variants could evade our counter measures and become fully resistant to current vaccines or past infections necessitating vaccine adaptations.”

Dr. Ghebreyesus says COVID-19 will continue to evolve and threaten our health systems if the collective response does not improve.