Data from 84 countries indicates a steady increase in the percentage of positive tests for SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, over the past several weeks.
The 2024 Paris Olympics has reported more than 40 athletes testing positive for COVID-19, highlighting a recent global surge in cases, the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced on Tuesday.
Persistent Virus Circulation
The WHO note that the virus causing the COVID-19 pandemic remains active, urging countries to enhance their response systems.
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Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO’s director for epidemic and pandemic preparedness and prevention, highlighted the continued evolution of the virus and its potential to evade current detection methods and medical interventions, including vaccines.
High-Profile Athletes Affected
Among the athletes affected at the Paris Games, British swimmer Adam Peaty tested positive shortly after winning silver in the 100m breaststroke, following symptoms of illness. Additionally, Australian swimmer Lani Pallister, a strong medal contender, withdrew from the women’s 1500m freestyle event due to illness.
Rising Global Cases
Data from 84 countries indicates a steady increase in the percentage of positive tests for SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, over the past several weeks. Van Kerkhove mentioned that wastewater surveillance, which typically provides a two-to-three-week early indication of case numbers, suggests that the actual circulation of the virus is significantly higher—two to twenty times—than reported figures.
“This is significant because the virus continues to evolve and change, which puts us all at risk of a potentially more severe virus that could evade our detection and/or our medical interventions, including vaccination,” Van Kerkhove stated during a media briefing.
Unseasonal Surge
Van Kerkhove noted the unusual nature of the current surge in COVID-19 cases, which is not following the typical seasonal patterns of respiratory viruses. She pointed out that many countries have experienced increases in cases regardless of the season, with the Olympics being a recent example where the virus’s rampant circulation in other countries contributed to the infections among athletes.
“It’s not surprising to see athletes being infected, because as I said before, the virus is circulating quite rampantly in other countries,” she added.
The WHO’s report on COVID-19 cases at the Olympics highlights the ongoing challenge of managing the virus and the need for continued vigilance and robust response systems worldwide. The situation serves as a reminder of the virus’s persistent threat and the importance of maintaining effective health measures to mitigate its impact.
