THE number of COVID-19 sequences being shared by countries has dropped by more than 90% while the number of countries sharing sequences has fallen by a third since the onset of the Omicron variant in 2021, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said.
By Michael Gwarisa
Speaking during a media briefing, WHO Director General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said it was now difficult to give data relating to COVID-19 due to lack of sequencing data.
It’s now three years since the first sequence of SARS-CoV-2 was shared with the world. That sequence enabled the development of the first tests, and ultimately, vaccines. Throughout the pandemic, testing and sequencing helped us to track the spread and development of new variants. But since the peak of the Omicron wave, the number of sequences being shared has dropped by more than 90%, and the number of countries sharing sequences has fallen by a third,” said Dr Tedros.
He added that while it is understandable that countries cannot maintain the same levels of testing and sequencing they had during the Omicron peak, the world cannot close its eyes and hope this virus will go away.
“Sequencing remains vital to detect and track the emergence and spread of new variants, such as XBB.1.5. We urge all countries now experiencing intense transmission to increase sequencing, and to share those sequences. Investment in testing at-risk people to ensure they receive adequate care and in tracking the virus remains vital.
“There is no doubt that globally we are in a vastly better position than we were a year ago. Since February last year, the number of deaths reported to WHO each week has dropped by almost 90%. But since mid-September, the number of weekly reported deaths has been stuck between 10 and 14 thousand deaths per week. The world cannot accept this number of deaths when we have the tools to prevent them.”
Last week, almost 11 500 deaths were reported to WHO – about 40% from the Americas, 30% from Europe and 30% from the Western Pacific region.
Dr Tedros however said, this number is almost certainly an underestimate given the under-reporting of COVID-related deaths in China.
“Most of those dying are at-risk groups, including older people. During the last six months of last year, people aged 65 or over accounted for almost 90% of all reported deaths. But once again, the data we receive from countries is inadequate to give us a clear picture of who is dying, and why. Only 53 out of 194 countries provide data on deaths that are disaggregated by age and sex.
“As we enter the fourth year of this pandemic, we ask all countries to provide this data. The more data we have, the clearer a picture we have. We continue to call on all countries to focus on fully vaccinating the most at-risk groups, especially older people. And we continue to call on all people to take appropriate precautions when necessary to protect yourself and others. You may not die with this disease, but you could give it to someone else who does.”
