2024 Olympics: In Paris, at least 40 athletes test positive for Covid-19

The World Health Organization said on Tuesday that at least 40 athletes participating in the Olympics have tested positive for Covid-19, but that this was not surprising given the rise in cases around the world. “It is not surprising that athletes have been infected because this virus has spread quite rapidly in other countries,” Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO’s head of epidemics and pandemic preparedness, told a news conference in Geneva.

“In recent months, (…) many countries have experienced outbreaks of Covid-19, including at the Olympic Games, where at least 40 athletes have tested positive,” she said. She confirmed that the IOC, in collaboration with the World Health Organization, “studied all the different approaches that need to be taken during large gatherings such as the Olympic Games” and took “the right steps”. She stressed that the virus is “still very much present” in the world and is circulating in “all countries”.

Death toll rises

Data collected by WHO through its sentinel surveillance system in 84 countries show that the proportion of positive tests has increased in recent weeks.

Ms. Van Kerkhove said the increase “has led to an increase in hospitalizations and deaths in some countries.” She detailed that “overall, the positive test rate is above 10%, but this number varies by region,” for example in Europe where the positive rate is above 20%.

But she noted that wastewater monitoring suggests the virus is circulating “two to 20 times more than currently reported.” She warned: “This is important because viruses are constantly evolving, putting us all at risk of more dangerous viruses emerging that may escape our detection.”

She said such high levels of Covid-19 transmission were “unusual” for this season, as respiratory virus epidemics tend to flare up when it’s cold.

Alarming drop in vaccination coverage

The World Health Organization continues to call on governments to strengthen surveillance for the virus and for citizens to protect themselves through vaccination, etc. But Ms. Van Kerkhove pointed out that the current situation is still different from the 2020-2022 period because the world now has treatments, screening tools and vaccines.

But she lamented that WHO vaccination coverage had fallen alarmingly over the past two years, particularly among health workers and people over 60. “There is an urgent need to correct this situation,” Ms Van Kerkhove insisted.

AFP

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