The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said in a press briefing, that “the ongoing conflict in Ukraine may lead to an increase in the outbreak of Corona.”
He noted, “Ukraine witnessed a significant increase in the number of coronavirus cases during the Russian attack.”
“Low screening rates mean that there is likely to be significant undetected transmission of the virus,” Ghebreyesus explained.
He pointed out that, “the low rate of vaccination represents a great danger, and raises the possibility of large numbers of people contracting severe symptoms of the disease.”
He added, “The mass movements of citizens fleeing from war will contribute to the transmission of corona, increasing pressure on health systems in neighboring countries.”
The transmission of the emerging coronavirus is not the only major health concern for the World Health Organization, as many Ukrainians are receiving treatment outside hospitals in places not prepared for proper medical treatment.
On this point, Ghebreyesus stressed, “the necessity of providing vital medical supplies to safely reach those who need it.”
He pointed out, “At least 3 major oxygen plants in Ukraine were closed following the outbreak of the war, according to the American “Fox News” news network.
“The life-saving medical oxygen supply in Ukraine is approaching a very dangerous point. Trucks are unable to transport oxygen supplies from factories to hospitals across the country, including the capital, Kyiv,” Ghebreyesus and WHO Regional Director for Europe Hans Kluge said in a statement.
And the statement continued, “The majority of hospitals can exhaust their oxygen reserves in a short period, and this puts thousands of lives at risk.”
