WHO warns of deadly second wave of COVID across Middle East, urges tougher restrictions

World Health Organisation (WHO) on vember 19 warned of a second wave of COVID-19 in Middle East region, ding only way to avoid it is by implementing restrictions. Dr. Ahmed Almnzera, Regional Director of WHO in Eastern Mediterranean region, expressed concern over rising cases of coronavirus in region, warning that actual numbers may be "much higher" than reported. Almnzera said that only way to prevent a second wave is by imposing strict lockdowns. 

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"Banning exit alone can limit transmission to a certain extent - and once countries and societies reopen, disease will spre if governments do t continue to effectively implement public health interventions that have proven effective, and if people do t strictly here to personal protective measures," Almnzera said during a press conference held in Egyptian capital Cairo on Thursday. 

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Health facilities overwhelmed 

Almnzera said that Iran, Morocco, and Jordan alone reported more than 60 percent of total regional cases in past week. Almnzera said that health facilities in region are overwhelmed and are finding it difficult to cope-up regardless of ir level of development. He said that governments should t wait until a safe and effective vaccine is available and must implement public health measures as soon as possible to avoid furr loss of lives. 

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Eastern Mediterranean Region has reported more than 3.5 million confirmed COVID-19 cases to date out of 56 million recorded worldwide. 76,000 people have lost ir lives in region since February and more lives are continuing to disappear every day. Europe and Americas are alrey witnessing a second wave of disease and several countries have reimposed lockdowns to prevent spre. 

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(Im Credit: AP)