WHO chief urged to wear masks again because of rising COVID-19 cases

The head of WHO called for the resumption of wearing masks. According to him, many countries have seen an increase in COVID-19 cases and the trend will continue after the New Year holidays.

The head of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has called for the resumption of wearing masks and the continuation of COVID-19 vaccination, he said on his X page (formerly Twitter). According to him, "the number of respiratory illnesses caused by coronavirus, influenza and other pathogens has been increasing in many countries for several weeks." Also, the WHO chief said, "this is expected to continue after the recent holidays."

Ghebreyesus also urged the public to make sure "that you and your loved ones are vaccinated against COVID-19 and influenza," and he advised state leaders to ensure access to tests and vaccines, as well as to monitor possible mutations of the virus.

A COVID-19 emergency regime was in place for global health from late January 2020 through May 2023. After its abolition, Russia refused to publish daily statistics on the incidence of the disease. At the same time, in November, the head of Rospotrebnadzor Anna Popova reported a new wave of COVID-19 morbidity in the country.

At the end of December 2023, the Ministry of Health extended the temporary "covid" order of medical institutions for 2024. The order provides, in particular, mandatory testing for coronavirus before hospitalization, regulates routing schemes for patients with acute respiratory viral infections and community-acquired pneumonia, the procedure for providing primary medical care to people with suspected COVID-19 at home. The Ministry of Health explained the need to extend the temporary rules by the growth of COVID-19 cases in recent weeks.