GENEVA : The head of the U.N. health agency, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, declared that holiday gatherings coupled with the relentless spread of the JN.1 variant fueled a surge in COVID-19 transmissions last month. The toll was alarming, with nearly 10,000 deaths reported in December alone. Hospital admissions spiked by 42% in almost 50 countries, primarily across Europe and the Americas.

Tedros, speaking from the World Health Organization headquarters in Geneva, underscored the gravity of the situation, deeming the preventable deaths unacceptable despite being lower than the pandemic’s peak. Urging global vigilance, he confirmed a rise in cases in unreported regions and implored governments to sustain surveillance while ensuring continued access to treatments and vaccines.

Tedros revealed that the JN.1 variant, identified as an omicron strain, had become the predominant variant worldwide. However, he reassured that existing vaccines should still offer some protection against it. Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO’s technical lead for COVID-19, highlighted a concurrent surge in respiratory diseases globally, including COVID-19, flu, rhinovirus, and pneumonia. She anticipated these trends to persist into January, particularly in the northern hemisphere, while noting a rise in COVID-19 cases in the southern hemisphere during summer.

Van Kerkhove emphasized the unprecedented co-circulation of various pathogens, making this winter unique. Amidst this, WHO officials strongly recommended vaccination, mask-wearing, and ensuring proper ventilation in indoor spaces. Dr. Michael Ryan, head of emergencies at WHO, underscored the significance of vaccines, acknowledging that while they might not prevent infection entirely, they significantly reduce the risk of hospitalization and death.

For all the latest news from Oman and GCC, follow us on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn, like us on Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube page, which is updated daily.