Who Gives "Second Wave" Warning to Countries Where COVID-19 Is Declining

WHO — (Photo : Photo by padrinan from Pixabay)

The decline of coronavirus infections in some countries could bring about an "immediate second peak" if restrictions and measures are lifted too soon.

This is according to Dr. Mike Ryan of the World Health Organization warned countries planning to lift their lockdowns during an online press briefing in a post from NBC News.

"When we speak about a second wave classically what we often mean is there will be a first wave of the disease by itself, and then it recurs months later. And that may be a reality for many countries in a number of months' time," Ryan explained about the epidemic coming back like akin to waves.

"But we also need to be cognizant of the fact that the disease can jump up at any time. We cannot make assumptions that just because the disease is on the way down now, it is going to keep going down, and we get a number of months to get ready for a second wave. We may get a second peak in this wave," he added.

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At the same time, he seriously urged those who have lifted their bans to continue implementing strict public health and social measures. These will include both surveillance and testing measures in order to create a comprehensive strategy that will make sure that there will be a continuing downward route.

Numerous countries have lifted their lockdowns, such as those in Europe, some U.S. states, and China. Their decisions, however, have lead countries belonging to the middle and low-income economies to follow suit despite a surge in coronavirus cases. Such choices are needed because they want to restore their source of livelihood. These countries, such as India, Brazil, and Indonesia, also want to return to their export industries, especially as major key countries have lifted their bans.

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With this in mind, two model countries during the pandemic have started to return to their usual way of living. According to CNN, South Korea and Germany have both loosen their restrictions without the fear that their cases will rise again.

Meanwhile, in Wuhan, China, medical workers have reached 6.5 million coronavirus tests in the city where the outbreak began as reported by Times of India. This unprecedented testing, which started two weeks ago, is part of the country's strategy to prevent a sudden comeback of infection. This was done via official announcements via loudspeakers urging citizens to sign up for the free testing and medical workers making house calls, especially to itinerant workers.

It was reported that the massive testing reached more than 90 percent of the city population, which will somehow serve to authenticate that the once plagued city has finally tamed its past demon.