WHO sees 'green shoots of hope' as countries ramp up COVID-19 testing, tracing

re are green shoots of hope in fight against Coronavirus pandemic, which shows that toger through global solidarity, humanity can overcome this crisis, World Health Organisation Director-General said on Wednesday. remark was me even as WHO chief ted that number of COVID-19 cases globally has topped 8 million and cases in  Americas, Africa, and South Asia are still rising rapidly.

In a press briefing, Dr. Tedros ham Ghebreyesus said, " world has w recorded more than 8 million cases of COVID-19. In first two months, 85,000 cases were reported. But in past two months, 6 million cases have been reported. re have been more than 435,000 deaths and in Americas, Africa, and South Asia; cases are still rapidly rising."

He ded, "However, re are green shoots of hope, which show that toger through global solidarity, humanity can overcome this pandemic. We w have good examples of many countries that have shown how to effectively suppress virus with a combination of testing, tracing, and quarantining patients and caring for those that get sick."

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Testing ramping up, tracing helped by tech

WHO chief highlighted that lab capacity to test COVID-19 infections has been dramatically enhanced across world, which is critical for identifying where virus is and informing government actions. He also ted that contact tracing applications developed by tech companies are helping to contain outbreaks.

"New mega hubs have been established that are w key to distribution of personal protective equipment, which includes millions of masks, goggles, aprons and gloves; as well as or medical supplies. "Tech companies have developed applications that can assist with critical task of contact tracing," Dr. Ghebreyesus said, ding, "And re has been an ermous effort to accelerate science around pandemic."

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Coronavirus pandemic

More than 8.1 million people have been confirmed to have new coronavirus around world. Nearly four million have recovered, while approaching 444,000 have died, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. United States has most cases and deaths, followed by Brazil, Russia, and India. cases are rising at its fastest pace in Latin America and South Asia while US and China have w reported a second wave of infections.

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