The pandemic isn't over yet even though it may feel that way in some parts of the world, a WHO chief has said.
Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stressed that any feeling of safety can "change in a moment" despite many countries seemingly returning to normal.
Just this week, Tonga extended their Covid lockdown, China locked down a city near Vietnam and restrictions were heightened in Hong Kong.
The WHO chief said: “We know this virus will continue to evolve. But we are not defenceless. We have the tools to prevent this disease, to test for it, and to treat it.
"Where people have access to those tools, this virus can be brought under control. Where they don’t, this virus continues to spread, to evolve, and to kill"
“Depending on where you live, it might feel like the Covid-19 pandemic is almost over, or, it might feel like it is at its worst.
“But wherever you live, Covid isn’t finished with us.”
The WHO chief added: "Diseases know no borders, and as we all know from Omicron, any feeling of safety can change in a moment. We know this virus will continue to evolve."
Some 63 new Covid deaths have been notified to the HPSC in Ireland over the last week.
It comes as 5,677 PCR-confirmed cases were announced in the last 24 hours with a further 5,578 people registering a positive antigen test through the HSE portal.
The encouraging trend of less and less people catching the virus comes ahead of NPHET meeting next week to make a recommendation on masks and the remaining Covid rules.
At the moment masks are still required on public transport, in crowded places and while shopping.
