WHO chief warns against talk of 'endgame' in pandemic

The head of the World Health Organization warned that conditions remain ideal for more coronavirus variants to emerge and said it was "dangerous" to assume omicron is the last one or we are in the endgame, saying the acute phase of the pandemic could still end this year if some key targets are met.  

Dr.  Tros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director General said "There are different scenarios for how the pandemic could play out and how the acute phase could end, but it's dangerous to assume that omicron will be the last variant or that we are in the endgame. On the contrary. Globally, the conditions are ideal for more variants to emerge.” “WHO continues to work nationally, regionally and globally to provide the evidence, the strategies, the tools and the technical and operational support countries need. If countries use all of these strategies and tools in a comprehensive way, we can end the acute phase of the pandemic this year."

Tedros also appealed for strengthening WHO and increasing funding for it to help stave off health crises.