COVID-19 is not under control in most of the world and is actually getting worse, according to the head of the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the total number of cases of coronavirus worldwide has doubled in the last six weeks.
And the spread of COVID-19 is showing no signs of slowing in the worst-affected countries – the US, Brazil and India.
The WHO warning came as quarantine rules for people returning to or visiting the UK from certain countries are being relaxed.
Speaking at the member state briefing on the pandemic evaluation, Dr Tedros said: “The virus has upended health systems in some of the world’s wealthiest nations, while some countries that have mounted a successful response have been of modest means.
“We know that when countries take a comprehensive approach based on fundamental public health measures – such as find, isolate, test and treat cases, and trace and quarantine contacts – the outbreak can be brought under control.
“But in most of the world the virus is not under control. It is getting worse.
“More than 11.8 million cases of COVID-19 have now been reported to WHO. More than 544,000 lives have been lost.
“And the pandemic is still accelerating.”
The warning comes just a day after Donald Trump moved to officially withdraw the US from the WHO.
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