WHO: Number of Coronavirus Cases May Be Much Higher Than Reported
2020-10-07
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1A World Health Organization (WHO) official says its "best estimates" show that the new coronavirus may have infected about one in 10 people worldwide.
2Michael Ryan is a doctor and the head of emergencies at the United Nations' health agency.
3He was speaking on Monday at a special meeting of the agency's executive board dealing with COVID-19.
4The group's 34 member countries provide much of the money used to pay for WHO operations.
5Dr. Ryan told the meeting the infection rates vary from cities to rural areas, and between different groups.
6And he said the new estimate means "the vast majority of the world remains at risk."
7"Our current best estimates tell us that about 10 percent of the global population may have been infected by this virus," he said.
8Ryan added that the worldwide spread of COVID-19 would continue to develop.
9He said that tools exist to suppress the spread of the virus and added, "...many more lives can be protected."
10Also attending the meeting was WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
11He led a moment of silence to honor victims of COVID-19.
12He also expressed his support for the health workers who have worked to save lives.
13Ryan noted that Southeast Asia faced a rise in coronavirus cases.
14He also said that Europe and the eastern Mediterranean area are seeing an increase in deaths.
15The situations in Africa and the Western Pacific were "rather more positive," he added.
16The new WHO estimate would mean that more than 760 million people have already been infected, based on the current world population.
17That number is far greater than the number of confirmed cases counted by both the WHO and Johns Hopkins University.
18Their official count is more than 35 million worldwide.
19Experts have long said that the number of confirmed cases is much smaller than the true number.
20Dr. Margaret Harris, a WHO spokesperson, said the new number was based on the average of antibody studies done around the world.
21Harris said the estimated 90 percent of people remaining without infection means the virus has "opportunity" to spread more "if we don't take action to stop it."
22She noted the importance of contact-tracing and health officials closely following the movement and spread of cases.
23I'm Mario Ritter, Jr.
1A World Health Organization (WHO) official says its "best estimates" show that the new coronavirus may have infected about one in 10 people worldwide. 2Michael Ryan is a doctor and the head of emergencies at the United Nations' health agency. He was speaking on Monday at a special meeting of the agency's executive board dealing with COVID-19. The group's 34 member countries provide much of the money used to pay for WHO operations. 3Dr. Ryan told the meeting the infection rates vary from cities to rural areas, and between different groups. And he said the new estimate means "the vast majority of the world remains at risk." 4"Our current best estimates tell us that about 10 percent of the global population may have been infected by this virus," he said. 5Ryan added that the worldwide spread of COVID-19 would continue to develop. He said that tools exist to suppress the spread of the virus and added, "...many more lives can be protected." 6Also attending the meeting was WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. He led a moment of silence to honor victims of COVID-19. He also expressed his support for the health workers who have worked to save lives. 7Ryan noted that Southeast Asia faced a rise in coronavirus cases. He also said that Europe and the eastern Mediterranean area are seeing an increase in deaths. The situations in Africa and the Western Pacific were "rather more positive," he added. 8The new WHO estimate would mean that more than 760 million people have already been infected, based on the current world population. That number is far greater than the number of confirmed cases counted by both the WHO and Johns Hopkins University. Their official count is more than 35 million worldwide. 9Experts have long said that the number of confirmed cases is much smaller than the true number. 10Dr. Margaret Harris, a WHO spokesperson, said the new number was based on the average of antibody studies done around the world. 11Harris said the estimated 90 percent of people remaining without infection means the virus has "opportunity" to spread more "if we don't take action to stop it." She noted the importance of contact-tracing and health officials closely following the movement and spread of cases. 12I'm Mario Ritter, Jr. 13Jamey Keaten reported this story for the Associated Press. Mario Ritter Jr. adapted it for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. 14____________________________________________________ 15Words in This Story 16vast - adj. very big in size or amount 17positive - adj. good, hopeful, useful 18opportunity - n. a chance; a series of events that make it possible to do something 19contact-tracing - n. the process of identifying persons who may have come into contact with an infected individual 20We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.