WHO: 1 in 10 may have caught COVID-19
October 5, 2020
The World Health Organization said Monday that its "best estimates" suggest one in 10 people worldwide may have been infected by the coronavirus.
The figure represents more than 20 times the number of confirmed cases, which currently stands at more than 35 million.
"Our current best estimates tell us about 10% of the global population may have been infected by this virus," said Mike Ryan, the head of emergency operations at the WHO.
"It varies depending on country, it varies from urban to rural, it varies depending on groups. But what it does mean is that the vast majority of the world remains at risk," he continued. "We are now heading into a difficult period. The disease continues to spread."
Ryan made the comments as he addressed the WHO's 34-member executive board focusing on COVID-19.
He told the board that outbreaks were surging in parts of southeast Asia and that infections were on the rise in parts of Europe and the eastern Mediterranean region.
Cases surging, nearing spring peak
Officials in Europe fear a repeat of the harrowing scenes witnessed in hospitals across the continent in the spring, when the virus swamped intensive care units in countries like Italy and Spain.
Already in some parts of Spain, hospitals are struggling with an influx of virus patients once more.
Meanwhile, Russia on Monday recorded a rise in cases close to the maximum level seen in May. However, the government has stopped short of reimposing strict lockdown measures.
India is currently registering the highest number of daily cases globally, with 75,829 confirmed infections in the past 24 hours, a day after crossing 100,000 total fatalities.
jsi/aw (Reuters, AP)