Tedros also told a virtual news briefing in Geneva he backed Saudi Arabia’s decision to ban pilgrims from abroad from attending the annual Hajj pilgrimage to help limit the spread of the deadly disease.
Tedros said WHO was now supporting many countries in dealing with difficulties obtaining oxygen concentrators, devices that boost the flow of oxygen to support the breathing of COVID-19 sufferers. “Demand is outstripping supply,” he said.
Brazil is now one of the most affected countries in the world after the U.S, while Russia and India are still seeing a rising number of new cases. While the growth of COVID-19 infections has slowed in Canda and Europe, it’s not the case in other countries.
The data for Brazil, Mexico, the United States, UK, Sweden, India, Pakistan, South Africa, and Nigeria show that these countries test little relative to the size of the outbreak. Additionally, these countries report a high number of cases, unfortunately.
Pakistan’s Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umer Friday said the across country COVID cases have decreased owing to the effective measures taken by the government and following of guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOPs) by a majority of people. 20 hotspot areas in various cities of Pakistan were identified on June 14 with the direction to seal the troubled areas to contain the spread.
In Canada, the government of Canada has a special advisory in place when it comes to international travel. While some countries are preparing to partially open up their borders, the Government of Canada wants to remind all Canadians that a global travel advisory to avoid all non-essential travel outside Canada remains in effect. We also continue to advise travellers to avoid all cruise ship travel until further notice.
The June 26 statement by Global Affairs Canada reminds Canadians to follow official travel advice and says, “We acknowledge that the lives of Canadians outside Canada have been greatly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Those who remain abroad may experience difficulty in obtaining essential products and services and may face strict public health measures, movement restrictions and quarantines.”
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