Toilet paper has returned to the shelves, and the world is reopened, but that does not mean COVID-19 is gone. In fact, there is reason to believe the next major wave will be “even deadlier” than before.
The World Health Organization is sounding the alarm that the next pandemic could claim more lives than the 2020 onset, which left over one million Americans dead, with 80,000 in New York alone. During Monday’s World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made it very clear that the virus is not going away any time soon.
“The threat of another variant emerging that causes new surges of disease and death remains. And the threat of another pathogen emerging with even deadlier potential remains,” Ghebreyesus warned.
While the WHO recently stated that the pandemic was no longer a health emergency, that does not mean people should ignore the devastating illness. China is currently facing an outbreak of a new strain, XBB. They are experiencing 65 million weekly cases. China’s top respiratory disease expert Zhong Nanshan confirmed that a vaccine aimed at XBB was developing. Surges such as these are a testament to the disease continuing to linger worldwide. One variant, called XBB.1.16 or Arcturus, has brought on a new string of symptoms, including pink eye. It also appears to be even more contagious.
During the Assembly, Tedros pushed for more recent discussions on the treaty establishing preparedness and responses to health disasters, known as the International Health Regulations. This will also help everyone get ready for the impending third pandemic that Tedros guarantees is on the way.
COVID-19 has claimed the lives of nearly seven million people internationally.
