WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom expects world to hit 10 million COVID-19 cases next week

World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Wednesday, June 24 that he expects the number of COVID-19 cases across the globe will reach 10 million next week.

According to Worldometer, the total number of COVID-19 cases worldwide has crossed 9.5 million mark. The WHO chief added that the UN health body is supporting many countries in the battle against the pandemic with oxygen supplies and other medical aid but added that the 'demand is outstripping supply'. 

READ: WHO Says 'divided World' Can't Fight Pandemic As Global Cases Cross 9 Million

Tedros backs Saudi's decision

Tedros while attending a press briefing supported Saudi Arabia's decision to ban pilgrims from abroad from attending the annual Hajj pilgrimage to help curb the spread of novel coronavirus.

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With the global cases crossing 9 million, the head of the World Health Organisation has warned that the pandemic is accelerating and producing record daily high. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a press conference that the world cannot fight the pandemic divided, referring to the criticism from US President Donald Trump. 

Tedros' comments came as the confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus soared in Brazil, Iraq, India, and southern and western US states, overburdening the healthcare system. The first one million cases of COVID-19 were witnessed in three months, however, one million cases have now come in just eight days, Tedros said during a videoconference for the Dubai-based World Government Summit.

READ: WHO Chief Says 'Division & Hate Isn't The Way To Defeat Covid' Amid US & China Erraticism

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Image: AP