WHO "At Current Trend, Cumulative Cases to Surpass 300 Million by Early Next Year"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The World Health Organization (WHO) has projected that if the current spread trend continues, the global cumulative number of COVID-19 cases will surpass 300 million by early next year.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said during a virtual press briefing on the 11th (local time), "Last week, the cumulative confirmed cases exceeded 200 million, but the actual number of cases is likely higher," adding that an additional 100 million cases are expected within less than six months after surpassing 200 million globally.

It took over a year from when China reported an unknown pneumonia outbreak in Wuhan on December 31, 2019, until the cumulative confirmed cases reached 100 million on January 26 this year. It took more than six months to exceed 200 million cases as of the 4th of this month, but the time to reach 300 million is expected to be even shorter.

Director-General Ghebreyesus stated, "If the current trend continues, the cumulative confirmed cases will exceed 300 million by early next year," emphasizing, "But we can change this. Whether we reach 300 million and how quickly we get there depends entirely on us," highlighting the need for equitable vaccine distribution.

WHO also announced plans to test three drugs?malaria treatment artesunate, certain cancer treatment imatinib, and immune system disorder treatment infliximab?for potential use in COVID-19 treatment.

These drugs were selected after being recognized by an independent expert panel for their potential to reduce the risk of death in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Thousands of researchers from over 600 hospitals across 52 countries are expected to participate in the related trials.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.