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WHO official warns pandemic ‘not over yet’

A picture taken on May 8, 2021 shows a sign of the World Health Organization at the entrance of their headquarters in Geneva amid the COVID-19 outbreak. (FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP)

MANILA – "The pandemic is not yet over," a World Health Organization official warned on Friday, saying the continued emergence of subvariants "poses a risk of resurgence and overwhelming health systems."

Babatunde Olowokure, director of Health Security and Emergencies for WHO in the Western Pacific, said Singapore and New Zealand are experiencing surges of COVID-19 cases, while Philippines, South Korea, Japan, Mongolia, and Vietnam have shown a sustained decline of cases, hospitalization, and deaths since August.

WHO data showed that the Western Pacific Region tallied over 92 million confirmed COVID-19 cases, including more than 270,000 deaths since the highly infectious and fatal disease emerged in 2020

Olowokure told a press conference that the circulation of COVID-19 Omicron XBB subvariant is fueling the surge in Singapore, while the BA.5 is still the dominant variant in New Zealand.

"Singapore reimposed public health safety measures such as limiting visitors in hospitals and residential care homes," he said.

WHO data showed that the Western Pacific Region tallied over 92 million confirmed COVID-19 cases, including more than 270,000 deaths since the highly infectious and fatal disease emerged in 2020.

READ MORE: WHO: COVID-19 still international health emergency

Olowokure said the decline of cases in several countries is due to "relatively high vaccine coverage," but he urged people to remain vigilant despite the decline in reported cases regionally and globally, adding that the coronavirus continues to circulate in the region.