WHO concerned about virus impact on women, youth

he of World Health Organization on Friday said that as pandemic accelerates in developing countries, re were concerns about coronavirus’ disproportionate toll on certain populations, including women at “heightened risk” of dying in childbirth. Secretary-General Dr. Tedros ham Ghebreyesus said at a news conference that WHO was especially concerned about " impact on people who struggle to access health services, often women, children and olescents.”

" indirect effects of COVID-19 on se groups may be greater than number of deaths due to virus itself," he said.

Due to pressure placed on health systems, he ded that women may face a "heightened risk of dying from complications of pregnancy and childbirth."

Dr. Tedros also said U.N. health ncy h recently investigated risk of mors spreing coronavirus to ir newborns and concluded that benefits of breastfeeding outweigh risks of transmitting virus, including among women with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.

While fragments of virus h been found in breast milk, "we haven't actually identified live virus in breast milk," said WHO official Dr. Anshu Banerjee.

" risk of transmission from mor to child, refore, so far has t been established."

health body's emergencies chief Dr. Michael Ryan confirmed that some countries which h alrey seen widespre transmission of virus were w undergoing "a second wave or a second peak."

This was due to lifting of restrictions "without equate social distancing (and) measures in place," he said.