COVID-19: WHO envoy warns against third wave

A World Health Organisation (WHO) special COVID-19 envoy says a third wave of the pandemic could be imminent in Europe in early 2021, if governments fail to take necessary precautions to prevent it.
“They missed building up the necessary infrastructure during the summer months, after they brought the first wave under the control,” the WHO’s David Nabarro said in an interview with Swiss newspapers.
“Now we have the second wave. If they don’t build the necessary infrastructure, we’ll have a third wave early next year,” said Mr. Nabarro, a Briton who campaigned unsuccessfully to become the WHO director general in 2017.
Europe briefly enjoyed sinking infection rates that are now surging again: Germany and France on Saturday saw cases rise by 33,000 combined, Switzerland and Austria have thousands of cases daily, while Turkey reported a record 5,532 new infections.
Mr. Nabarro singled out Switzerland’s move to allow skiing – with masks required in gondolas – as other Alpine nations like Austria have shuttered resorts.
He said Switzerland could reach a “very high level of sicknesses and deaths”.
“Once the infection rates sink, and they will sink, then we can be as free as we want,” Mr. Nabarro was quoted as saying by the Solothurner Zeitung. “But right now? Should ski resorts open? Under what conditions?”
The envoy lauded the response of Asian countries like South Korea, where infections are now relatively low: “People are fully engaged, they take on behaviours that make it difficult for the virus.
“They keep their distance, wear masks, isolate when they’re sick, wash hands and surfaces. They protect the most endangered groups.”
Mr. Nabarro also said Asia did not relax restrictions prematurely.
“You must wait until case numbers are low and stay low,” he said. “Europe’s reaction was incomplete.”
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette

Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Africa
Kenyan police arrest opposition politicians, tear-gas anti-Ruto protesters
Kenyan police fired tear gas and arrested several senior opposition politicians as hundreds protested against President William Ruto.

NationWide
78 million children risk water-related crisis in Nigeria: UNICEF
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says 78 million children in Nigeria are at risk of three water-related threats.

World
Russia-Ukraine War: Putin visits captured Ukrainian territory Mariupol
President Vladimir Putin visited Mariupol, a Ukrainian territory now in Russian hands.

Africa
South Africa arrests 87 ahead of anti-government protest
South African security forces on Monday said 87 people had been arrested in the last 12 hours across the country over public violence.

World
Finland named happiest country worldwide sixth time in row
According to the survey, war-torn Afghanistan and Lebanon remain the unhappiest countries.

Politics
Chimaroke Nnamani dumps PDP after losing senatorial election
Chimaroke Nnamani, representing Enugu-East senatorial district, says he has left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).