This archive report was first published on 12 May 2020.
As countries begin to exit lockdowns imposed to curb the spread of the new coronavirus, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of a second wave of infections if they are not vigilant.
Germany, which took early steps to ease its lockdown, has seen an acceleration in new coronavirus infections, while South Korea, which had succeeded in limiting virus infections, has seen a new outbreak in nightclubs.
Dr Mike Ryan, head of the WHO's emergencies programme, emphasized the need for 'extreme vigilance' in exiting lockdowns, citing the risk of the virus taking off again if clusters are not investigated.
WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus added that lifting restrictions was 'complex and difficult', and that the 'slow, steady lifting of lockdowns' was key to protecting lives and livelihoods.
Early studies point to lower-than-expected antibody levels against the disease within the general population, meaning that most people remain susceptible, according to Maria van Kerkhove, a WHO epidemiologist.
Dr Ryan warned countries with 'lax measures' against counting on herd immunity to halt the spread of Covid-19, calling it a 'really dangerous, dangerous calculation'.
