If you believe that Covid-19 is no longer a concern or that its impact has diminished, think again. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that the percentage of positive tests has been increasing across 84 countries in recent weeks.

The UN health agency is also warning that more severe variants of the coronavirus may soon be on the horizon.

“Covid-19 is still very much with us,” and circulating in all countries, Dr Maria Van Kerkhove of WHO told journalists in Geneva.

“Data from our sentinel-based surveillance system across 84 countries reports that the percent of positive tests for SARS-CoV-2 has been rising over several weeks,” she said. “Overall, test positivity is above 10 per cent, but this fluctuates per region. In Europe, percent positivity is above 20 per cent,” Dr Van Kerkhove added.

According to Fortune Magazine, the virus has spread far and wide this summer; President Joe Biden tested positive in July and, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), at least 40 athletes at the Paris Olympics have been infected with Covid or other respiratory illnesses.

As per a WHO release, new waves of infection have been registered in the Americas, Europe and Western Pacific. Wastewater surveillance suggests that the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 is two to 20 times higher than what is currently being reported. Such high infection circulation rates in the northern hemisphere’s summer months are atypical for respiratory viruses, which tend to spread mostly in cold temperatures.

“In recent months, regardless of the season, many countries have experienced surges of Covid-19, including at the Olympics where at least 40 athletes have tested positive,” Dr Van Kerkhove said.

“As individuals it is important to take measures to reduce risk of infection and severe disease, including ensuring that you have had a Covid-19 vaccination dose in the last 12 months, especially, if you are in an at-risk group,” stressed Dr Van Kerkhove.

Vaccines availability has declined substantially over the last 12-18 months, WHO admits, because the number of producers of Covid-19 vaccines has recently decreased. “It is very difficult for them to maintain the pace,” Dr Van Kerkhove explained. “And certainly, they don’t need to maintain the pace that they had in 2021 and 2022. But let’s be very clear, there is a market for Covid-19 vaccines that are out there.”

Another baby has died from an infection of whooping cough, bringing the total number of deaths of infants in England since the outbreak began to 10, officials at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said.

This death coincides with recent UKHSA data showing that confirmed laboratory cases of whooping cough in England topped 10,000 in this year. While most cases are in people aged 15 or older, more than 300 have been in babies under three months – the most at-risk group from the infection.

It is believed that the outbreak started in England last November, and 10 infant deaths have now been confirmed. The first death was reported in December 2023, and the rest occurred between January and June 2024.

According to a Bloomberg report, Whooping cough is making a comeback in several parts of the world, with deaths reported in China, the Philippines, Czech Republic and the Netherlands, and outbreaks in countries including the US and UK.

What is whooping cough?

The highly-contagious disease is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis, which targets the upper respiratory system, releasing toxins which can cause the airways to swell, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

What are the symptoms?

Early symptoms of whooping cough look very much like the common cold – with a stuffy nose, low-grade fever and a mild cough often reported. That makes it difficult to diagnose until more severe symptoms emerge.

After a week or two symptoms can progress to “rapid, violent, and uncontrolled coughing fits,” according to the CDC, accompanied by a high-pitched “whoop” sound upon inhalation at the end of the fit. Coughing fits can go on for up to 10 weeks.

Who is most at risk?

Children are more likely to suffer the most violent symptoms of whooping cough, while babies don’t usually cough but can stop breathing. Teenagers and adults often exhibit more mild symptoms, but even then, debilitating coughing fits can keep them up at night. One complicating factor is that adults with no obvious signs of the disease can continue to spread the infection.

How do you treat it?

Once diagnosed, preferably before coughing begins, doctors will generally treat the infection with antibiotics. If a patient has been coughing for more than three weeks, antibiotics are not required as the bacteria has likely left the body and the coughing is a result of damage done to the airways.

Is there a whooping cough vaccine?

In China, free vaccines are usually given in a combined shot that also protects infants against diphtheria and tetanus. In the US there are two vaccines available – one for children under the age of seven, and one for people older than seven. In the UK, shots are routinely given to babies, while the Philippines has warned of a potential shortage in supply by May.