Not the news that anybody wants to hear.
As Ireland, and many other EU countries, plough ahead with their reopening strategies, the World Health Organisation has warned that the Covid-19 pandemic is accelerating on a global scale.
The WHO reported that yesterday (18 June) marked the highest number of cases reported in a single day, with an additional 150,000 cases confirmed across the world.
Speaking at a press briefing today, Director General of the WHO Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus noted that "almost half of those cases were reported from the Americas, with large numbers also being reported from South Asia & the Middle East."
Ghebreyesus recommended that countries continue to exercise extreme vigilance, saying: "The world is in a new and dangerous phase.
"Many people are understandably fed up with being at home. Countries are understandably eager to open up their societies and economies. But the virus is still spreading fast, it’s still deadly and most people are still susceptible."
Specifically, the WHO has reminded people to maintain good safety habits, such as:
- Continue maintaining your distance from others.
- Keep covering your nose and mouth when you cough.
- Wear a mask when appropriate.
- Keep cleaning your hands.
Ireland is expected to announce a further acceleration of its reopening strategy later on today (19 June). Yesterday, there were 16 new cases of Covid-19 confirmed in the Republic of Ireland.
