“Covid-19 is still with us and spreading across countries,” said WHO's Dr Maria van Kerkhove.

New Delhi: According to a report shared by the World Health Organization (WHO), the percentage of positive tests for Kovid-19 has been increasing for several weeks in 84 countries.

The WHO has issued a warning that more serious forms of the coronavirus may emerge and is urging individuals, especially those in high-risk groups, to ensure they are vaccinated against the virus.

“Covid-19 is still with us and is circulating in all countries. In recent months, several countries have experienced an increase in the number of cases of Covid-19, with at least 40 athletes testing positive at the Olympics,” said WHO's Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove told reporters in Geneva.

“Data from our sentinel-based surveillance system in 84 countries reports that the percentage of positive tests for SARS-CoV-2 has been increasing for several weeks,” she said.

“Overall, test positivity is over 10 percent, but this fluctuates from area to area. In Europe, the percentage positivity is above 20 percent,” added Dr van Kerkhove.

The WHO has reported that at least 40 athletes at the Paris Olympics have contracted Covid or other respiratory illnesses, while Fortune magazine has indicated that the virus has become widespread this summer.

US President Joe Biden was tested for Covid in July.

New waves of infections have been reported in the Americas, Europe and the Western Pacific. Sewage monitoring suggests that the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 is two to 20 times higher than currently reported. Such high infection circulation rates during the summer months in the Northern Hemisphere are typical for respiratory viruses, which mostly spread in cooler temperatures, the WHO release said.

“In recent months, regardless of the season, many countries have experienced an increase in Covid-19, with at least 40 athletes testing positive at the Olympics,” said Dr van Kerkhove.

“As an individual, it is important to take measures to reduce the risk of infection and serious disease, including ensuring that you have received a dose of the Covid-19 vaccination in the last 12 months, especially if you are in a risk group,” it emphasized. Dr Van Kerkhoeve.

In mid-July, the WHO issued a warning that “Covid is not over yet,” adding that the deadly infection is still widespread, killing 1,700 people worldwide every week, and asked people to take basic precautions, including vaccines, masks and testing.