'We're In Early Stages Of Third Wave': WHO Chief On Global COVID Crisis As Delta Variant Gains Dominance

Earlier, WHO had stated that Delta is anticipated to be the most dominant COVID variant worldwide. 

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Geneva: Amid rising cases of COVID's Delta variant, World Health Organisation Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has said that the world is now in the early stages of a third wave of the pandemic.

Speaking at the 8th meeting of the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee on Wednesday, the WHO chief said that the spread of the Delta variant, along with increased social mobility and the inconsistent use of proven public health measures, is driving an increase in both case numbers and deaths.

"And after 10 weeks of declines, deaths are increasing again. The virus continues to evolve, resulting in more transmissible variants. Unfortunately, we are now in the early stages of a third wave," Ghebreyesus said.

"The Delta variant is now in more than 111 countries and we expect it to soon be the dominant COVID-19 strain circulating worldwide if it isn't already," he added.

He also expressed worry over the "shocking disparity" in the global distribution of vaccines, and unequal access to life-saving means. Many countries still have not received any vaccines, and most have not received enough, he stressed.

The WHO-led Covax programme, the international vaccine-sharing initiative has shipped just more than 100 million doses, so far.

Ghebreyesus informed that vaccine inequity has created a two-track pandemic. In this, one track is for countries with the greatest access to vaccines, they are lifting restrictions and reopening their economies, and a second track is for those without vaccine access that are left "at the mercy of the virus".

He reiterated WHO's call for a massive boost in vaccination wherein at least 10 percent of the population of every country is inoculated by September, at least 40 percent by the end of 2021, and at least 70 per cent by mid-2022.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, meanwhile, stressed that vaccines alone will not stop the pandemic, urging countries to persist with a "tailored and consistent approach". The measures include using the full array of public health and social measures, and a comprehensive risk management approach to mass gatherings.

"So many countries around the world have shown that this virus can be stopped and contained with these measures," he stressed.

The health agency is also reviewing options to digitalise the International Certificate for Vaccination and Prophylaxis, to support a harmonised approach for recording vaccination status.

On Tuesday, WHO had stated that Delta is anticipated to be the most dominant COVID variant worldwide. 

"The increased transmissibility means that it is likely to become the dominant variant globally over the coming months," the had WHO stated in its weekly update. 

(With Agency Inputs)