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HomeWorldEuropeYoung people are not ‘invincible’ to coronavirus, WHO warns

Young people are not ‘invincible’ to coronavirus, WHO warns

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Daily US Times: The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that young people are not immune from coronavirus and they must avoid socializing and communicating it to older, more vulnerable people.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the choices made by the young people can be “the difference between life and death for someone else.”

The coronavirus situation is getting worse day by day in the world, especially in Europe.

Nearly 250,000 patients have tested positive globally and over 11,000 patients have died from the Covid-19, the disease caused by the virus.

WHO’s warning came after several reports that young people in many countries are ignoring health warnings, because of the greater susceptibility to the virus among older patients.

The virus outbreak was originated in Wuhan, China late last year, but now the center of the pandemic is Europe. China managed to control the situation as the country has reported no domestic infection in the last few days.

In Italy, the most affected country, the death toll rose by 627 on Friday, reaching a total of 4,032, making it the deadliest day for one country since the outbreak began. Even China has not experienced so many deaths as Italy’s.

What did the WHO say?

Mr Tedros was speaking at an online news conference from WHO headquarters in Geneva. He said, ”Although older people are hardest hit, younger people are not spared.”

I have a message for young people: You are not invincible, this virus could put you in hospital for weeks or even kill you.”

He added: ”Even if you don’t get sick the choices you make about where you go could be the difference between life and death for someone else.”

The WHO cheif also praised the developments of the Chinese city of Wuhan, where the outbreak originated, which reported no new cases on Thursday.

”This provided “hope for the rest of the world that even the most severe situation can be turned around”, he said.

Studies have show that people of all ages can be infected by the new coronavirus, but the virus is more deadly for older people and those with underlying illnesses.

The average age of those who died from Covid-19 in Italy was 78.5 years.

According to the New York Times, in China, fewer than 1% of people aged under 50 died, but the virus is fatal for nearly 15% of those who were over the age of 80.

Reuters reported quoting a WHO epidemiologist, WHO is now recommending “physical distance” instead of “social distancing” to help prevent transmission of the virus.

Dr Maria Kerkhove, a WHO epidemiologist, said “We want people to remain connected.”

She said, “So find ways to do that, find ways through the internet and through different social media to remain connected because your mental health going through this (pandemic) is just as important as your physical health.”

You may read: Social distancing may be needed for ‘most of year’

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