This archive report was first published on 11 July 2020.
On July 10, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported a significant increase in COVID-19 cases worldwide, with the total number of cases doubling over the past six weeks.
At a regular briefing from WHO headquarters in Geneva, WHO Director General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the need for aggressive action, national unity, and global solidarity to combat the pandemic.
According to Dr. Tedros, leadership, community participation, and collective solidarity are crucial in controlling the spread of the virus. He cited examples from around the world where the virus was brought under control, including Italy, Spain, South Korea, and Dharavi, a densely packed area in Mumbai.
"A strong focus on community engagement and the basics of testing, tracing, isolating, and treating all those that are sick is key to breaking the chains of transmission and suppressing the virus," Dr. Tedros said.
He also noted that COVID-19 restrictions have stifled supply chains that provide routine immunizations for the world's poorest nations, potentially leading to surges in diseases like measles, polio, and malaria.
