The Eastern Mediterranean Region had witnessed a continuing decrease in the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths last March, with the last week showing a slight increase in cases by 6% but a continuing drop in deaths by 27% compared to the previous week, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday.
During a virtual press conference, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Ahmed al-Mandhari said: “Although we have witnessed an overall reduction in the number of cases and deaths in the Region, and globally, we are still very much in the midst of the pandemic, and we need to remain alert to avoid further grief and suffering.”
“Every one of us needs to ensure that our decisions and actions do not ultimately lead to harmful outcomes for anyone we may unknowingly infect, causing the infection to further spread. The chain of transmission can only be stopped if we all make a conscious and collective decision to stop this disease in its tracks,” he underlined.
Al-Mandhari remained hopeful as e announced that almost 40% of all people across the Region have been fully vaccinated with at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccines, he indicated, represent the most effective shield against severe disease and death, especially when coupled with other preventative measures like performing hand hygiene, wearing masks, practicing physical distancing and properly ventilating closed spaces.
The will celebrate tomorrow World Health Day, which focuses on the theme “Our Planet, Our Health.” He stated that it is impossible to have a healthy society in a polluted environment, or to have a clean environment in an unhealthy society.
Tackling environmental risks is an essential part of WHO’s vision of Health for “All by All” in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, with an estimated 1 million people dying prematurely every year in our Region as a result of living and working in unhealthy environments, he added.
He pointed out that environmental hazards such as climate change, air pollution, toxic chemicals and lack of access to clean water and sanitation increase the Region’s vulnerability to infectious disease outbreaks, which can result in epidemics and pandemics such as the one we are currently experiencing due to COVID-19.
“To tackle these challenges, we need to address the root causes of ill health. Many aspects of environmental health go far beyond the health sector, so concerted action by many different actors across different sectors is required, focusing on upstream interventions to prevent, minimize or mitigate environmental risks,” he underscored.
COVID-19 gives us a historic opportunity to build cleaner, healthier and fairer systems and societies, he underscored.
Source: Jordan News Agency