This archive report was first published on 23 June 2020.
As the global coronavirus pandemic continues to spread, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that the situation is accelerating. According to the latest figures, over 9 million people have been infected worldwide, with the death toll exceeding 465,000.
The WHO's Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, made the warning during a virtual health forum in Dubai. He stated that the greatest threat facing the world is not the virus itself, but the lack of global solidarity and leadership.
"The pandemic is still accelerating," Dr. Tedros said. "We cannot defeat this pandemic with a divided world. The politicisation of the pandemic has exacerbated it."
Despite the warning, many countries are easing their lockdown restrictions. In France, millions of children returned to school on Monday, marking a significant step towards normality. However, the easing of restrictions has also led to concerns about new clusters and outbreaks.
One of the areas of concern is Latin America, where Brazil has reported over 50,000 deaths. The country's President, Jair Bolsonaro, has been criticized for downplaying the threat of the virus, comparing it to a "little flu".
Other countries, such as Mexico, Peru, and Chile, are also struggling to cope with the pandemic. In Mexico City, plans for a broad reopening of the economy have been delayed due to the high number of cases.
As the pandemic continues to spread, the WHO has called for a rapid increase in the production of the steroid dexamethasone, which has been shown to have life-saving potential for critically ill patients.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has announced that it will allow a limited number of pilgrims to attend the hajj pilgrimage next month. The hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and represents a potentially major source of contagion.
As the world struggles to come to terms with the pandemic, the WHO's warning serves as a reminder of the need for global solidarity and leadership.
