Categories: Health

WHO fears Omicron-Delta ‘tsunami’ may wreck healthcare systems, docs & nurses also hit

<p>
The simultaneous spread of the Delta and Omicron variants of the coronavirus is creating a "tsunami of cases" that continue to put immense pressure on health systems that are already on the brink of collapse, the WHO warned on Wednesday.</p>
<p>
"Delta and Omicrom are now twin threats driving up cases to record numbers, leading to spikes in hospitalisation and deaths," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a press conference.</p>
<p>
He said the pressure on health systems was not only due to new coronavirus patients, but also large numbers of health workers falling ill with Covid.</p>
<p>
The WHO said over 6.5 million cases new cases had been recorded worldwide in the week between Dec 22-28, while the United States and France both registered a record number of daily infections on Wednesday.</p>
<p>
Tedros said countries must share vaccines more equitably and warned that the emphasis on boosters in richer countries could leave poorer nations short of doses.</p>
<p>
He said the WHO was campaigning for every country to hit a target of 70% vaccine coverage by the middle of 2022, which would help end the acute phase of the pandemic.</p>
<p>
More than 281 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and more than 5 million have died since the outbreak of the pandemic, according to a Reuters tally.</p>
<p>
<strong>Also read: </strong> <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/health-news/explainer-why-omicron-is-milder-than-delta-137109.html">Explainer: Why Omicron is milder than Delta</a></p>

IN Bureau

Recent Posts

“Wonderful opportunity to engage with valued friend,” says PM Modi on arrival in Mauritius

Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Mauritius on Tuesday to a grand and warm welcome…

1 hour ago

India, Armenia sign MoU on cooperation in regulation of medical products

India and Armenia signed two major Memorandum of Understanding during the visit of Armenian Foreign…

5 hours ago

India secures repatriation of 283 nationals from Myanmar lured on pretext of fake jobs

The Indian embassies in Myanmar and Thailand, in coordination with local authorities, secured the repatriation…

5 hours ago

“Our ties are deeply rooted in history”: EAM Jaishankar to Armenian Foreign Minister Mirzoyan

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met the Foreign Minister of Armenia, Ararat Mirzoyan, on Monday…

5 hours ago

India, Kyrgyzstan Joint Military Exercise ‘Khanjar-XII’ begins in Tokmok

The opening ceremony of the Joint Military Exercise Khanjar-XII, between special forces of India and…

5 hours ago

Mauritius is close maritime neighbour, key partner in Indian Ocean: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday that he looks forward to the opportunity to…

15 hours ago