A senior official of the World Health Organization (WHO), Michael Ryan, called for comprehensive, data-driven strategies for public health COVID-19, rather than a policy-driven decision-making process as schools reopened.
Mr Ryan, Executive Director of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, said this while addressing reporters’ questions at the monthly WHO news briefing held in Geneva.
He said: “we can’t play Whack-a-mole. We need to be able to walk and chew gum at the same time.”
The senior official said the issue of reopening schools had turned into a “political football” which was not fair to children.
“Decisions must be made on data, and an understanding of the risks. There needs to be a sustained commitment on suppressing the virus. If we can suppress it, then, schools can open safely.”
In response to a question about the decision of the United States Government to initiate a formal withdrawal from the WHO, Ryan said the UN agency for health was focused on “controlling the pandemic, reducing mortality and suppressing transmission.”
He said several other problems have been dealt with by the WHO, including health emergencies in Syria and Yemen, and Ebola and plague outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Given the withdrawal from the United States, Mr. Ryan expressed hope that in the coming years the Organization will be able to continue working with colleagues based in the United States.
In his remarks, WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus said 230,000 cases of COVID-19 were reported to the WHO as of July 12, and nearly 80 percent of those cases were identified from just 10 nations, and 50 percent came from only two.
“Although, the number of daily deaths remains relatively stable, there is a lot to be concerned about.
“All countries are at risk of the virus, as you know, but not all countries have been affected in the same way.
“There are roughly four situations playing out across the world at the moment,’’ he said.
Mr Ghebreyesus said that the first situation was countries that were alert and conscious-they planned and responded to the first cases quickly and effectively. As a result , major outbreaks have been avoided so far.
“Several countries in the Mekong region, the Pacific, the Caribbean and Africa fit into that category.
“Leaders of those countries took command of the emergency and communicated effectively with their populations about the measures that had to be taken.
“They pursued a comprehensive strategy to find, isolate, test and care for cases, and to trace and quarantine contacts, and were able to suppress the virus.’’
The director general said the second situation was countries where a large epidemic was put under control by a combination of good leadership and citizens adhering to key initiatives for public safety.
“Many countries in Europe and elsewhere have demonstrated that it is possible to bring large outbreaks under control.
“In both of these first two situations, where countries have effectively suppressed the virus, leaders are opening up their societies on a data-driven way.
“Leaders have opened to data driven step-by-step basis, with a comprehensive public health approach, backed by a strong health workforce and community buy-in.
“The third situation we’re seeing is countries that overcame the first peak of the outbreak, but having eased restrictions, are now struggling with new peaks and accelerating cases.
“In several countries across the world, we are now seeing dangerous increases in cases, and hospital wards filling up again,’’ he said.
However, he said it would appear that many countries were losing gains achieved as proven risk-reduction strategies are not being enforced or followed.
“The fourth situation is those countries that are in the intense transmission phase of their outbreak.
“We’re seeing this across the Americas, South Asia, and several countries in Africa.
“The epicentre of the virus remains in the Americas, where more than 50 per cent of the world’s cases have been recorded.
“But we know from the first two situations that it’s never too late to bring the virus under control, even if there’s been explosive transmission.
“In some cities and regions where transmission is intense, severe restrictions have been reinstated to bring the outbreak under control,’’ the director-general said.
According to him, WHO is committed to working with all countries and all individuals to suppress transmission, minimize mortality, help societies to defend themselves and others, and promote good leadership and coordination by government.
