More covid-19 cases reported in last two weeks than during the first six months of pandemic - WHO

Globally, there have been more Covid-19 cases reported in the last two weeks than during the first six months of the pandemic, the World Health Organisation (WHO)said on Monday.

The Director-General of the international health agency, Tedros Ghebreyesus, said more than half of last week’s Covid-19 cases were reported in India and Brazil.

He said there are many other countries globally that are facing a fragile situation. 

More cases of Covid-19 have been reported globally in the past two weeks than during the first six months of the pandemic, Mr Ghebreyesus said in a tweet on Monday.

India and Brazil account for more than half of last week’s cases.

The WHO announcement comes barely 48 hours after Nigeria announced a temporary ban on non-Nigerian passengers who have been in Brazil, India or Turkey within 14 days of intended arrival into Nigeria.

The chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on Covid-19, Boss Mustapha, said this is a precautionary measure to minimise the risk of a surge in Covif-19 cases while national response activities continue.

India has had more Covid-19 cases in the last seven days than anywhere else in the world, Reuters reported.

Indian hospitals, morgues and crematoriums have been overwhelmed as the country has reported more than 300,000 daily cases for more than 10 days straight. Many families have been left on their own to scramble for medicines and oxygen.

Nearly 10 Indian states and union territories have imposed some form of restrictions, even as the federal government remains reluctant to impose a national lockdown.