COVID-19 third wave imminent : WHO chief

The world is about to enter the early stages of the third wave of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said July 15, 2021.

The COVID-19 delta variant is spreading across the world, he added. The variant first isolated in India is now found in more than 111 countries. It may soon become the dominant COVID-19 strain worldwide.

There is an increase in both COVID-19 cases and deaths, after 10 weeks of steady decline. Increased social mobility and the irregular use of public health measures have fuelled the surge.

There is an inequity in the global distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, according to the WHO. Countries with the greatest access to vaccines are lifting restrictions and reopening their societies. Countries without vaccine access, however, are left at the mercy of the virus. WHO requests every country to vaccinate at least 40 per cent of its population by the end of 2021.