Tedros highlights complex challenges posed by COVID-19 resurgence, as lockdowns ease

The resurgence of COVID-19 cases in South Korea, China and Germany following the lifting of stay-at-home restrictions demonstrates the complexity of easing these measures, World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on May 11.

“Over the weekend we saw signs of the challenges that may lie ahead”, he told journalists.

Tedros was referring to reports that South Korea has shuttered nightclubs and bars after a confirmed case of COVID-19 led to thousands of contacts being traced.

The Chinese city of Wuhan - where the new coronavirus first emerged - also identified its first cluster of cases since lifting a lockdown a month ago, while Germany has recorded an increased caseload

“Fortunately, all three countries have systems in place to detect and respond to a resurgence in cases”, said Tedros, speaking during the latest WHO press briefing.

“Early serological studies reflect that a relatively low percentage of the population has antibodies to COVID-19, which means most of the population is still susceptible to the virus”.

While lockdowns have proved successful in slowing virus transmission and saving lives, Tedros acknowledged that they have had a “serious socio-economic impact” on citizens.

“Therefore, to protect lives and livelihoods, a slow, steady, lifting of lockdowns is key to both stimulating economies, while also keeping a vigilant eye on the virus so that control measures can be quickly implemented if an upswing in cases is identified”, he said.

WHO is working closely with governments to ensure that key public health measures remain in place to deal with the challenge of lifting lockdowns.

The agency this weekend published further guidance for countries looking to ease these restrictions, and another on reopening schools and workplaces.

The guidance asks authorities to consider whether the epidemic is under control, if the health system cope with a resurgence of cases, and can surveillance measures detect cases and identify any resurgence.

“However, even with three positive answers, releasing lockdowns is both complex and difficult,” Tedros stated.