As the virus declines in some countries in Europe and Asia, the pandemic continues to expand in many countries, World Health Organization officials said.
“We are concerned that we are still very much on the upswing of this pandemic in many countries, particularly in the global south,” Dr. Mike Ryan, executive director of the WHO’s emergencies program, said. “We are concerned that some countries are having difficulties in exiting the so-called lockdowns as they’re seeing increase of cases again.”
He added that the Americas have been hit especially hard, accounting for four of the 10 countries where the virus is spreading most rapidly. As other countries exit lockdowns, he said, it’s important health officials are able to respond to the virus in more targeted ways to prevent a resurgence.