Emma Farge and Mrinalika Raj

GENEVA, (Reuters) – Monday’s warning by the head of WHO was that the Omicron variant could signal the end to COVID-19’s acutest stage. He exhorted nations to remain focused in order to defeat the pandemic.

“It’s dangerous to assume that Omicron will be the last variant and that we are in the end game,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a WHO executive board meeting of the two-year pandemic that has killed nearly 6 million people.

Globally, the conditions for the emergence of more varieties are favorable.”

Omicron’s total number of cases has risen to almost 350 million. However, it has had a less deadly impact than the rising prevalence of vaccines. This has encouraged some to be optimistic that perhaps the worst pandemic has passed.

Tedros, the WHO’s first African head who is running unopposed for a second term https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/who-sets-aside-ethiopias-request-probe-who-chiefs-links-rebellious-tigrayan-2022-01-24, urged discipline and unity in combatting the coronavirus.

He stated that the COVID-19 pandemic was now in its third year. “We are at an important juncture,” said he earlier. We must all work together in order to end the pandemic’s acute phase. It cannot continue in a state of panic or neglect.

GERMANY’S BIGGEST DONOR

For the world’s health crisis to be over, countries need to use all available strategies, tools and resources, like testing and immunizations, he stated.

Tedros’ second term bid was boosted by the WHO’s denial of a decision regarding his request from Ethiopia to examine allegations that he had links to rebel forces.

He informed board members that he wanted to overhaul the agency’s financing model. Germany is now the biggest donor and Washington was being accused of pro-China bias by the WHO under President Donald Trump.

The United States is resisting a financing proposal that would make the U.N. health body more independent, raising doubts about the Biden administration’s https://www.reuters.com/world/us/exclusive-us-opposes-plans-strengthen-world-health-organization-2022-01-21 long-term support.