WHO director warns first wave of Covid-19 is not over

World Health Organisation (WHO) executive director Dr Mike Ryan warned that the risks of reigniting coronavirus outbreaks are complicating efforts to fend off further misery for the many millions who have lost their jobs. When someone coughs, sneezes, or speaks they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. By following good respiratory hygiene, you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu andCOVID-19. Stay home and self-isolate even with minor symptoms such as cough, headache, mild fever, until you recover. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention, but call by telephone in advance if possible and follow the directions of your local health authority. Keep up to date on the latest information from trusted sources, such as WHO or your local and national health authorities. Local and national authorities are best placed to advise on what people in your area should be doing to protect themselves. When grocery shopping, keep at least 1-metre distance from others and avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose. Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly after touching any frequently-touched surface or object, including coins or banknotes. Mindful of the risks, Americans settled for small processions and online tributes instead of parades on Monday as the US observed Memorial Day in the shadow of the pandemic. A US travel ban is due to take effect on Tuesday for foreigners coming from Brazil, where the virus is raging through communities with no signs of abating. Underlining the challenge of containing outbreaks of a virus for which there is not yet a vaccine or proven treatment, India reported a record single-day jump in new cases for the seventh straight day. Most of India’s cases are concentrated in the western states of Maharashtra, home to the financial hub Mumbai, and Gujarat. The numbers have also climbed in some of India’s poorest states in the east as migrant workers stranded by lockdowns have returned to their native villages from India’s largest cities. Domestic flights resumed on Monday after a two-month hiatus, though at only a fraction of normal traffic levels. Australia’s prime minister said that international travel could resume with New Zealand before Australians are allowed to fly interstate, if cautious state leaders refuse to reopen their borders. Scott Morrison said he had spoken with his New Zealand counterpart, Jacinda Ardern, about resuming regular travel between the near-neighbours, which have shared similar success in slowing the coronavirus spread, though not eliminating new cases altogether. Tests by a US biotechnology company, Novavax, have begun in Australia with hopes of releasing a proven vaccine this year. A Novavax executive said 131 volunteers were getting injections in the first phase of the trial to test the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness. About a dozen experimental vaccines are in early stages of testing or poised to start, and it is not clear whether any will prove safe and effective. Novovax’s research chief, Dr Gregory Glenn, said: “We are in parallel making doses, making vaccine in anticipation that we’ll be able to show it’s working and be able to start deploying it by the end of this year.” Some restrictions on public gatherings, shorter hours for many businesses and other precautions are still in place in most countries. South Korea has begun requiring people to wear masks on public transport and while using taxis. The country, once a major epicentre of outbreaks, is tracing dozens of infections linked to nightclubs and other entertainment venues as it prepares for 2.4 million students to return to school on Wednesday. Before and after photos show impact of coronavirus on tourism (Photos) As people stay indoors and travel restrictions are imposed in response to the global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, tourist destinations that were once bustling with visitors have now been left deserted. Click through to take a look at photos showing some of the world's famous attractions before and after the spread of the coronavirus. People in South Korea, like in much of Asia, have generally been wearing masks in public settings anyway, without reports of any major disruptions. Despite hopes that the so-called “first wave” of the pandemic may be waning, Dr Ryan, the WHO official, warned that future “spikes” of outbreaks may mean the first wave is not over. With infections surging in South America, the WHO warned Brazil’s leaders against reopening its economy before it can perform enough testing to control the spread of the pandemic. “Intense” transmission rates mean Brazil should retain some stay-at-home measures despite the economic hardships, Dr Ryan told reporters.

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