The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Gebreyesus, once again called on everyone to wear antiseptics and wear masks if necessary.
According to him, the mask is not only a means of protection, but also a symbol of solidarity.
"We also want to hold a mask mob flash mob with our partners around the world this week and ask people to send us their masked photos," Tedros Gebreyesus said at a briefing in Geneva. Tedros said he always wears a hand sanitizer and a mask to use in crowded places.
"Wear a mask if necessary, keep a physical distance, and follow the rules of etiquette when coughing, avoid crowded places, and wash your hands often. In this case, you can protect yourself and others, "said the head of the WHO. He noted that the virus is still rampant around the world and to date there is no effective tool against it.
"Currently, a number of vaccines are in the third phase of clinical trials. We believe that we can get a certain amount of vaccine that can prevent human infection. But now we do not have a perfect vaccine for this, and maybe never. Today, even countries and territories that have been able to prevent the spread of this dangerous virus must remain vigilant. Serological tests show that most people are exposed to the virus in areas where the virus has previously spread.
Gebreyesus called for stronger epidemiological surveillance, surveillance of those who come in contact with infected people and their immediate isolation: "Do not relax security and appropriate monitoring measures, as the removal of restrictions too quickly could lead to an increase in new infections."
He said that over the past week, there have been reports of a re-spread of COVID-19, even from a number of countries recovering from the coronavirus crisis. However, by taking appropriate precautions, many are able to control the situation. Success is already being achieved in helping patients.
"Every day we learn something new about this virus. I am very glad that the world has made progress in defining treatment methods. This will help treat patients with the most severe forms of COVID-19, ”he said.
Tedros Gebreyesus said that a group of WHO experts has recently completed its work in China. The results of this work will form the basis of future research to determine the primary source of infection. For this purpose, a special international group has been established by the WHO. The group will include experts from China and other countries. Epidemiological research will begin in Ukhan.
The director general said at an emergency meeting of his organization on Friday that the COVID-19 epidemic was a public health emergency of international importance. Stressing that this situation in the health sector will continue for a long time, the committee members called on the relevant authorities not to weaken the measures taken against the epidemic at the local, national, regional and global levels.
Today, the number of people infected with the coronavirus has reached 17.5 million. About 680,000 people have died from the virus.