As many countries continue to grapple with wave two of COVID-19, there is hopeful news from the United Nations, which is reporting a global decline in cases for the fifth week in a row.
“Last week saw the lowest number of reported weekly cases since October,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the World Health Organization (WHO). He was cautious in his briefing to journalists, noting: “The fire is not out, but we have reduced its size…. If we stop fighting it on any front, it will come roaring back.”
The next step is vaccinations, and WHO has approved two versions of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine for global distribution under an emergency listing to ensure quality and safety.
This all comes, amid reports of declining numbers of new COVID-19 cases in India. The country is reporting 11,000 cases per day, down from close to 100,000 per day at the peak of the pandemic. It’s too early for vaccinations to be the reason. Some experts say mandatory masks are helping or that some may have developed an immunity, reports the Associated Press. Experts don’t agree on the reasons.
As we continue to learn about the virus, Health officials stress the need for constant vigilance. Children Believe remains committed in that resolve. So far, we’ve provided more than 680,000 children and families with life-saving PPE and education about stopping the spread of the virus, support to protect children at greater risk of violence and exploitation as well as education supplies so children can continue learning.
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