In a recent press briefing, Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, the head of the World Health Organization's emerging diseases and zoonoses unit, highlighted several alarming trends regarding COVID-19. She revealed that COVID-19 levels are significantly higher than reported worldwide, citing wastewater data. According to her, the actual numbers of infections could be 2 to 19 times higher than those being officially reported.

Dr. Van Kerkhove expressed concerns about the yet unknown dangers of repeat COVID infections, which can occur without any symptoms. Due to the population's varying immunity acquired through vaccination or previous infection, it is difficult to determine the frequency of new infections. She emphasized the multipronged concerns regarding COVID infection, including potential acute implications such as hospitalization and death, the development of long COVID, and even longer-term effects that require proper study.

One prominent concern highlighted by Dr. Van Kerkhove is the prevalence of long COVID, with an estimated range of 6% to 10% of those infected experiencing long-term symptoms. She emphasized that long COVID is a real condition that needs more extensive research.

Despite ongoing vaccination efforts, Dr. Van Kerkhove stressed that the world is still experiencing a pandemic. She pointed out the absence of a seasonal pattern and the rapid evolution of the virus, which differentiates COVID-19 from many other respiratory pathogens. The repercussions of the pandemic, including hospitalizations and deaths, remain underappreciated. Current data on COVID-related hospitalizations and deaths are limited to fewer than 50 countries reporting to the WHO, out of a total of 234 countries and territories. The true global toll of the pandemic is likely three times higher than the reported death count of 7 million as of December 31.

Addressing the recent concern about a highly mutated variant known as BA.2.86, Dr. Van Kerkhove clarified that while studies based on lab-created pseudoviruses have shown potential for severe disease, there is currently no indication of a change in severity for the globally dominant variant JN.1.

However, she warned that countries should not become complacent, as the world remains unprepared for a severe variant. The lack of global recognition of COVID as an ongoing threat limits the ability to swiftly and effectively respond to increased transmission. Dr. Van Kerkhove urged countries to continue mitigation efforts, such as vaccination, as a means to prevent further burden on healthcare systems and mitigate the potential impact of future variants.

The World Health Organization's Technical Advisory Group on SARS-CoV-2 Virus Evolution (TAG-VE) is scheduled to meet again on Monday, indicating the organization's ongoing commitment to monitoring and addressing the evolving COVID situation.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, it is crucial to remain vigilant and prioritize public health measures to protect communities and mitigate the impact of the virus.