The United Nations has expressed concern over the number of lives lost to the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to the UN, five million lives have been lost due to the pandemic.
“Today, the human family crosses a painful new threshold — five million lives lost to Covid-19. These are not numbers on a page. They are mothers and fathers. Brothers and sisters. Daughters and sons. Family, friends, and colleagues. Lives cut short by a merciless virus that respects no borders,” UN General Secretary, Antonio Guterres said in a release.
He further bemoaned the low numbers vaccinated against the virus in Africa, warning that this could compound the burden on health facilities in African countries.
“This devastating milestone reminds us that we are failing much of the world. While wealthy countries are rolling-out third doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, only about five percent of people in Africa are fully vaccinated. This is a global shame,” he said.
“Five million deaths should also stand as a clear warning: we cannot let our guard down. We are still seeing more deaths. Overcrowded hospitals and exhausted health workers. And the risk of new variants spreading and claiming more lives.
“At the same time, other dangerous threats continue to allow Covid-19 to thrive — misinformation, vaccine hoarding and vaccine nationalism, and lack of global solidarity,” he added.
He, thus, urged world leaders to fully support the Global Vaccination Strategy which was launched with the World Health Organization last month.
“We need to get vaccines into the arms of 40 percent of people in all countries by the end of this year — and 70 percent by mid-2022. I call on them to deliver with urgency and scale, address funding gaps, and coordinate their actions for success.”
“It would be a mistake to think that the pandemic is over. As restrictions ease in many places, we must also match vaccines with vigilance — including through smart and proven public health measures like masking and social distancing,” he added.
“The best way to honour those five million people lost — and support health workers fighting this virus every day — is to make vaccine equity a reality by accelerating our efforts and ensuring maximum vigilance to defeat this virus.”
- We are one people – Bawumia and Mahama laud peaceful enskinment of new Yagbonwura
- I have received calls to stop disconnection exercise – ECG boss
- Bride ‘faints’ briefly as Joe Mettle pops up at her wedding reception
- Your electricity bill does not have a party colour – ECG MD
- Ato Forson was criminally reckless in ambulance transaction – Attorney General
- Akufo-Addo is packing EC with known NPP members – Kofi Adams
- GNFS expresses reservation over reopening of Kejetia Market
- AFCON 2023Q: Goalpost collapses and injures Wollacott in training
- We’ll meter all distribution transformers to fight power theft – Samuel Mahama
- AFCON 2023Q: Black Stars hold first training at Baba Yara Stadium [Photos]
- My divorce drew me closer to God – New EC member Rev. Akua Ofori Boateng
- NYA lauds District Assembly Common Fund for role in Youth Resource Centres construction
- Crackdown on fraudulent payrolls as Fair Wages and Salaries Commission hint at audit
- I love listening to music more than recording – Kelvyn Boy
- Bring Mohammed Muntaka to book – NDC executives told
- Uganda Anti-Homosexuality bill: Life in prison for saying you’re gay
- Oforikrom Assembly signs MoU with Crops Research Institute to improve vegetable production
- Woman arrested for cooking after reopening of Kejetia Market
- Saudi government provides parcels to Muslims ahead of Ramadan
- African scientists urge governments to invest in appropriate regulatory mechanisms for biotech products
- NDC primaries: We need a people-centered leader in Ketu North – Edem Agbana
- Referee suspended for using spectator’s mobile phone to disallow goal
- NIB arrest some ECG IT personnel over recent prepaid vending challenges
- Vodafone cash and MobileMoney Limited partner to enable merchant interoperability
- George Addo Jnr appointed Director of Communications at Coach Hene Sports Club