Ammon News -

World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, Ahmed Al-Mandhari, said that as winter starts across the region, the pandemic continues to take a worrying course.

"A few countries have made further progress in controlling the outbreak, while others are still seeing unprecedented increases in the number of cases, and sometimes even the number of deaths," Al-Mandhari said in a statement for regional press briefing.

In a Regional Office press conference held Tuesday via teleconference on latest development on COVID-19 in the region, Al-Mandhari said: "A vaccine for COVID-19 is not a magic solution to the situation we are all in today – a situation that has come about as a result of poor adherence to preventative measures by populations, and the need for greater efforts by countries."

"As the holiday season approaches and temperatures further drop, the risk of increased transmission due to relaxed physical distancing, mask use, and other measures becomes even higher," Al-Mandhari added.

He noted that some countries have announced initial use of a vaccine for their populations. "This step offers a glimpse of hope that the end of the pandemic may soon become a reality," the WHO official explained, pointing out that "We have heard encouraging news about the safety and efficacy of at least three vaccines recently, and several vaccines are still in the phase 3 trial."

He further added that "Working through the COVAX facility, WHO and partners are trying to ensure equitable distribution of effective vaccines to low- and middle-income countries once they are granted emergency use listing or authorization by an appropriate regulatory body. Through COVAX, approximately 20 percent of populations at highest risk will be prioritized for the vaccine."

"However, this will leave many more people still at risk and the virus with an opportunity to continue to spread. We need to remain absolutely committed to promoting and adhering to all of the public health and social measures that we know work, including testing all suspect cases, isolating all confirmed cases and tracing contacts."