Compared to the previous month, the infection has increased by 55 per cent and deaths by 15 per cent
The World Health Organisation on Thursday cautioned over surge in cases due to Delta variant in the Middle East that can lead to ‘fourth wave’ in the region.
The delta variant has been recorded in 15 countries.
Dr Ahmed Al-Mandhari, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, expressed concern over the rapid spread of the Delta variant across the Eastern Mediterranean Region and all other WHO regions.
He called it a “major cause for concern”, as in recent weeks the numbers of new Covid-19 cases and deaths have increased.
The reasons behind the surge are the low vaccination rate and presence of Delta variant, the transmissibility of which is very high
“Most of the new cases and hospitalised patients are unvaccinated people. We are now in the fourth wave of Covid-19 across the Region,” said Dr Al Mandhari.
Commenting on vaccination in the region, Dr Al Mandhari said, only 5.5 per cent i.e. 41 million people, have been vaccinated in the region.
Compared to the previous month, the infection has increased by 55 per cent and deaths by 15 per cent, which is alarming, according to Dr Al Mandhari.
The reasons behind the surge are the low vaccination rate and presence of Delta variant, the transmissibility of which is very high.
The countries which have high incidence of Covid cases in the Middle East are Iran, Iraq, Tunisia, and Libya.
The low rate of vaccination in the region, coupled with the increased transmissibility of the delta variant of the coronavirus, remains a major cause for concern.
The situation has stretched the capability of the healthcare system in the region, as the situation caused critical shortages of oxygen tanks and intensive care beds in some worst-hit countries.