the world is at a pivotal moment in the pandemic

“If you see the epicurve, the trajectory of the pandemic, it’s growing exponentially. We are not in the situation we would like to be 16 months after the start of the pandemicAdded the official in reference to the increase in cases in all countries, which in some scenarios represents a third wave of massive infections.

“The time has come for everyone to take stock of what is going on around them. The Managing Director (Tedros Adhanom) has already spoken about what we have to do, they hear us on a daily basis. Vaccines work, vaccination exists. But this is not a reality in all parts of the world where it should be“, He said.

“Concrete steps must be taken to increase vaccine production capacity and immunization capacity, and to deploy them commercially“, Van Kerkhove condemned before specifying that” until this happens, we must use the tools at our disposal“.

“Take for example your social networks, see what people are doing around you, see if they are taking the right measures to keep you and your loved ones safe.», He expressed on the subject of individual responsibility, which at no time cancels or diminishes the duties of each State towards its population.

“We must support governments and citizens so that the control measures in force are applied in a coherent, coherent and systematic manner at regional, national and municipal level», Condemned by Van Kerkhove.

“A year ago we practically made a guide on how to add public and social measures, and the second thing that was mentioned in this guide was the importance of having a mechanism where you know where the virus is in your community, “recalled the WHO official, referring to guidelines that the organization approved and disseminated through trial and error.

Van Kerkhove’s questions to governments were simple:

“Do they have an adequate surveillance system in which they know how the virus is circulating in their communities? Do they have a system to quickly detect new cases that may arise, to follow up, to determine a quarantine or voluntary isolation? They have a minimized risk of epidemics in certain environments where it is known that the transmission of the virus can be amplified? Do we have preventive measures in schools and workplaces? All these measures have already developed on physical distance, good communication for staff, for those who visit essential places, ”he agreed.

In addition to recognizing once again “the importance of good ventilation and of maintaining these measures during our travels”, the WHO official assured that “all this must continue to be strictly enforced”.

“If governments are watching the trajectory of the virus within their borders, they need to assess their situation and see what can be done. We must all play our part at the individual level. We need governments to support us so that we can do this, ”he said.

“It’s not about whether there are vaccines or not,” Van Kerkhove said in the face of the race in the lab to develop an effective formula against the coronavirus that Covid-19 produces. “It’s about knowing where there are vaccinations and what can be done on a daily basis, what you can do to stay safe and protect your loved ones.“.