Following the recent slight decline in COVID-19 cases in the South-East Asia Region, the World Health Organisation (WHO) urges the need to continue extreme caution. The WHO says combating the virus needs to be strengthened and there should be no complacency in view of the declining number.
For the third week in a row, the WHO South-East Asia recorded a 6 to 8 per cent decline in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases. It was mainly due to the decrease in confirmed cases from India and Bangladesh. There are 11 member countries in South-East Asia. However, even with the decrease, WHO urges people to continue practising preventive measures such as wearing masks, washing hands, maintaining physical distance and avoiding crowded areas.
“I would also urge all of us to practice a healthy lifestyle in order to maintain or even boost your immune system. What are they, if you are smokers, stop smoking. If you do not smoke, don’t start. Don’t consume alcohol. Practice physical activity and also a healthy diet,” said Dr Rui Paulo de Jesus, the WHO Bhutan Representative.
According to the WHO office, with the onset of the flu season, seasonal influenza and COVID-19 may present challenges for health systems and facilities since both diseases present many similar symptoms. And the office urges people to abide by the preventive measures, as many of the COVID-19 preventive measures are effective in preventing influenza.
There have been about 8.5 million confirmed COVID-19 cases in the South-East Asia region.
Tshering Zam
