Iran Press/Europe: The WHO said the virus behind the COVID-19 pandemic was still circulating -- and countries need to sharpen up their response systems and get jabbing those most at risk, AFP reported.
Several high-profile athletes have suffered from Covid-19 at the 2024 Paris Games.
British swimmer Adam Peaty tested positive a day after winning silver in the 100m breaststroke when he had not felt well, his team said. Australian medal hope Lani Pallister pulled out of the women's 1500m freestyle after falling ill.
"Covid-19 is still very much with us. The virus is circulating in all countries," said Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO's epidemic and pandemic preparedness and prevention director.
Data from 84 countries shows that the percentage of positive tests for SARS-CoV-2 -- the virus that causes Covid-19 disease -- "has been rising for several weeks", she told a media briefing.
Furthermore, wastewater surveillance -- which tends to give a two-to-three-week advance indication on hospitalisations -- suggests SARS-CoV-2 circulation is "two to 20 times higher than what is currently being reported", she said.
"This is significant because the virus continues to evolve and change, which puts us all at risk of a potentially more severe virus that could evade our detection and/or our medical interventions, including vaccination." 204
