From Our Bureau
8TH JUNE 2020
The Corona Virus (COVID-19) pandemic situation remained grim globally, with the confirmed cases across the world soaring to 69,31,000 and the death toll reaching 4,00,857 in the 216 affected countries and territories, according to the latest update from the World Health Organization (WHO).
Globally, European region continued to be the worst-hit in terms of fatalities with 22,86,560 confirmed cases and 1,84,120 deaths. American region came next with 33,11,387 confirmed cases and 1,81,804 deaths. Eastern Mediterranean region reported 6,41,429 confirmed cases and 14,602 deaths.
Western Pacific region’s tally stood at 1,91,275 confirmed cases and 7,112 deaths. South-East Asia region recorded 3,64,196 confirmed cases and 9,970 deaths and African region witnessed 1,35,412 confirmed cases and 3,236 deaths. WHO Risk Assessment at global level remained very high.
A new technical note, Medical certification, ICD mortality coding, and reporting mortality associated with COVID-19, has been released that describes medical certification and classification of deaths related to COVID-19. The primary goal is to identify all deaths due to this disease in all countries.
WHO welcomes crucial new funding for vaccines which was pledged at the Global Vaccine Summit. The new pledges will enable Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to protect the next generation and reduce disease inequality by reaching an additional 300 million children with vaccines by 2025. The Summit also highlighted how important a safe, effective and equitably accessible vaccine will be in controlling COVID-19. (eom)
