Beautiful Virgin Islands

Monday, Aug 04, 2025

WHO chief warns against complacency in novel coronavirus fight

WHO chief warns against complacency in novel coronavirus fight

The World Health Organization, or WHO, warned on Thursday that some countries have not taken the threat posed by COVID-19 seriously enough and that risks becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus did not name specific countries but said the list is long. While the majority of COVID-19 cases are still in a handful of countries, Tedros said the WHO is deeply concerned about the increasing number of countries reporting cases, especially those with weaker health systems.

He reiterated that the epidemic is a threat for every country, rich and poor, adding that "even high-income countries should expect surprises.

"The solution is aggressive preparedness," he continued. "We're concerned that some countries have either not taken this seriously enough, or have decided there's nothing they can do."

Rich European countries are not immune to the epidemic. Italy remains the European country hardest hit, with more than 3,000 cases and 107 deaths. On Thursday, France's Health Ministry reported two more deaths, taking the total to six, with 92 new confirmed cases taking the national total to 377, and the United Kingdom also reported its first death, as the number of positive cases rose to 115, 25 of which are in London.

By Thursday morning the Brussels Times reported 27 new cases in Belgium, bringing the total number of people infected to 50.

Tedros pointed out that in some countries, the level of political commitment and action taken did not match the level of threat the world faces.

He warned that it is not a drill, not the time to give up, not a time for excuses. "This is a time for pulling out all the stops," he said.

He said these are plans that start from the top, with leadership coordinating every part of government, not just the health ministry – security, diplomacy, finance, commerce, transport, trade, information, and more – the whole government should be involved.

"Activate your emergency plans through that whole-government approach," he said.

Tedros said that if countries act aggressively to find, isolate and treat cases, and to trace every contact, they can change the trajectory of this epidemic.

"If we take the approach that there's nothing we can do, that will quickly become a self-fulfilling prophecy," he said.

He emphasized that how deadly the virus will be depends not only on the virus itself, but on how people respond to it. "This is a serious disease. It is not deadly to most people, but it can kill," Tedros said.

Michael Ryan, executive director of the WHO's health emergencies program, agreed, saying that some countries have demonstrated that it is possible to control the spread of the virus and slow it down.

He explained that in that calculation, people have two chances to save lives. If you contain and suppress the virus, you save lives by making sure that vulnerable people are not exposed. And if they are exposed, you have more time to get your system ready to save the lives.

"You get another shot at live-saving interventions," Ryan said.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
OpenAI’s Bold Bet: Teaching AI to Think, Not Just Chat
Tesla Seeks Shareholder Approval for $29 Billion Compensation Package for Elon Musk
Nvidia is cutting prices on its RTX 50-series graphics cards after sales slowed and inventories piled up
Ghislaine Maxwell Transferred to Minimum-Security Prison Amid Ongoing DOJ Discussions
U.S. Tariffs Surge to Highest Levels in Nearly a Century Under Second Trump Term
Matt Taibbi Slams Media for Role in Russiagate Narrative
Pilots Call for Mental Health Support Without Stigma
All Five Trapped Miners Found Dead After El Teniente Mine Collapse
Ong Beng Seng Pleads Guilty in Corruption Case Linked to Former Singapore Transport Minister
BP’s Largest Oil and Gas Find in 25 Years Uncovered Offshore Brazil
Italy Fines Shein One Million Euros for Misleading Sustainability Claims
JPMorgan and Coinbase Unveil Partnership to Let Chase Cardholders Buy Crypto Directly
Declassified Annex Links Soros‑Affiliated Officials and Clinton Campaign to ‘Russiagate’ Narrative
UK's Online Safety Law: A Front for Censorship
Nationwide Protests Erupt in Brazil Demanding Presidential Resignation
Parents Abandon Child at Barcelona Airport Over Passport Issue
Mystery Surrounds Death of Brazilian Woman with iPhones Glued to Her Body
Bus Driver Discovers Toddler Hidden in Suitcase in New Zealand
Switzerland Celebrates 734 Years of Independence Amid Global Changes
U.S. Opens Official Investigation into Former Trump Prosecutor Jack Smith
Leaked audio of Canada's new PM Mark Carney admitting the truth about the Net Zero agenda: "We're gonna make a lot of money off of this."
China Enforces Comprehensive Ban on Cryptocurrency Activities
Absolutely 100% Realistic EVO Series Doll by EXDOLL (Chinese Company) used mainly for carnal purposes
World Economic Forum founder Klaus Schwab: "In this new world, we must accept... total transparency. You have to get used to it. You have to behave accordingly. But if you have nothing to hide, you shouldn't be afraid."
Meet Mufti Hamid Patel, head of Office for Standards in Education in Pakistan
George Soros tells the World Economic Forum: "President Trump is a con man and the ultimate narcissist, who wants the world to revolve around him."
Hamas are STARVING the hostages.
Decline in Tourism in Majorca Amidst Ongoing Anti-Tourism Protests
British Tourist Dies Following Hair Transplant in Turkey, Police Investigate
Poland Begins Excavation at Dziemiany After New Clue to World War II‑Era Nazi Treasure
WhatsApp Users Targeted in New Scam Involving Account Takeovers
Trump Threatens Canada with Tariffs Over Palestinian State Recognition
Trump Deploys Nuclear Submarines After Threats from Former Russian President Medvedev
Trump Sues Murdoch in “Heavyweight Bout”: Lawsuit Over Alleged Epstein Letter Sets Stage for Courtroom Showdown
Germany Enters Fiscal Crisis as Cabinet Approves €174 Billion in New Debt
Trump Administration Finalizes Broad Tariff Increases on Global Trade Partners
J.K. Rowling Limits Public Engagements Citing Safety Fears
JD.com Launches €2.2 Billion Bid for German Electronics Retailer Ceconomy
Azerbaijan Proceeds with Plan to Legalise Casinos on Artificial Islands
Former Judge Charged After Drunk Driving Crash Kills Comedian in Brazil
Jeff Bezos hasn’t paid a dollar in taxes for decades. He makes billions and pays $0 in taxes, LEGALLY
China Increases Use of Exit Bans Amid Rising U.S. Tensions
IMF Upgrades Global Growth Forecast as Weaker Dollar Supports Outlook
Procter & Gamble to Raise U.S. Prices to Offset One‑Billion‑Dollar Tariff Cost
House Republicans Move to Defund OECD Over Global Tax Dispute
Botswana Seeks Controlling Stake in De Beers as Anglo American Prepares Exit
Trump Administration Proposes Repeal of Obama‑Era Endangerment Finding, Dismantling Regulatory Basis for CO₂ Emissions Limits
France Opens Criminal Investigation into X Over Algorithm Manipulation Allegations
A family has been arrested in the UK for displaying the British flag
Mel Gibson refuses to work with Robert De Niro, saying, "Keep that woke clown away from me."
×