Coronavirus update: WHO snubs ‘smokers better off’ theory

The World Health Organisation rejected ‘findings’ of some scientific publications that smokers were at lower risk of being affected by the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). “We know COVID-19 is a respiratory disease and smoking affects lungs. Smokers may develop more severe disease. They are also at higher risks of availing intensive care unit facility and death,” WHO technical lead Maria Van Kherkhove told journalist May 8, 2020.

• Regarding remdesivir, WHO did not yet say it could be a potential therapy, noting the large-scale multi-country soildarity trial underway on which a decision would depend. The United States Food and Drug Administration has given emergency authorisation to the drug.
• The global tally of cases positive to the SARS-CoV-2 virus was at 4,026,838.

• India’s tally was at 59,662 cases.