On Friday, the World Health Organization stated that lapses in strategies to tackle COVID-19 can create the perfect conditions for a deadly new variant to emerge. This comment by WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus pointed toward the rising cases of infections in China.

The global health agency has estimated that about 90% of the world’s population now has some level of immunity to SARS-CoV-2, either due to prior infection or vaccination. However, gaps in testing and vaccination will continue to create the perfect conditions for a new variant of concern to emerge that could cause significant mortality.

In the press release, he added that COVID-19 infections are at record highs in China and have started to rise in parts of Britain after months of decline. Hence, the WHO urged governments across the globe to focus on reaching those at risk, such as people over the age of 60 and those with underlying conditions, for vaccination. 

(Source: https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/drop-in-covid-alertness-could-create-deadly-new-variant-who/95955044 )