At least 115,000 health and care workers have died of Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic, says the WHO leader, calling for a dramatic increase in vaccination in all countries. At the opening of the main annual meeting of the World Health Organization, the director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus welcomes the sacrifices made by health workers around the world to fight the pandemic.
WHO reminds frontline health workers
“For nearly 18 months, health and care workers around the world have been caught between life and death,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “They have saved countless lives and fought for others that, despite their best efforts, have slipped away.” Many have become infected, and while reports are scarce, we estimate that at least 115,000 health and care workers have paid the final price in serving the others”.
EU, 50% vaccinated with first dose
“This week half of EU adults will have received their first dose” of the vaccine. The president of the European Commission wrote it in a tweet Ursula von der Leyen. “We have made steady progress on vaccination in the EU. Three hundred million inoculated doses, 245 million vaccinations, 46% of the EU adult population has received at least one dose and this week we will reach a new milestone: half of EU adults will have received the first dose “.
Czech Republic, fourth Minister of Health resigns
Since the pandemic began, 4 health ministers have taken turns. The latest, who has sent his resignation to the head of state who is in Paris these days, has had problems with undeclared taxes and property.
Azerbaijan: off the masks from June
In Azerbaijan, the obligation to wear masks for outdoor Covid will be abolished, starting from 31 May. The government announced in a statement after a meeting of the coronavirus pandemic task force.
Russia supports the removal of patents
Moscow supports the idea of removing patents on coronavirus vaccines. This was stated by the Russian Minister of Health Mikhail Murashko during his speech at the general assembly of the World Health Organization: “In order to increase the availability of vaccines, the Russian Federation supports the idea of removing patent protection from vaccines. against the coronavirus, “Murashko said. “We propose to WHO the optimization of the procedure for the pre-qualification of new vaccines and drugs in order to reduce the time for examining applications,” Murashko said. The proposal to suspend patents was supported by nearly 60 countries.