Geneva, 13 July– The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed concern over the ongoing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, revealing that approximately 1,700 people are still dying each week due to the virus. This alarming statistic was reported by French media outlet La Monde on Friday (July 12).

In response to these figures, WHO has strongly urged the public to get vaccinated, emphasizing the importance of maintaining high vaccination rates, especially among the most vulnerable populations. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted the decline in vaccine uptake during a press conference, particularly among health workers and individuals over the age of 60.

“Vaccination has declined among health workers and most people over 60 years of age. These are the two most vulnerable groups today,” Ghebreyesus warned, stressing the need for immediate action to protect these high-risk groups.

The WHO's guidelines recommend that individuals in the highest risk categories should receive a Covid-19 vaccine within 12 months of their last dose to ensure ongoing protection against the virus.

Since the onset of the pandemic, the WHO has recorded over 7 million deaths attributed to Covid-19. However, the actual death toll is believed to be significantly higher, underscoring the continued threat posed by the virus and the critical importance of vaccination efforts.