WHO estimates 90% decrease in COVID-19 deaths worldwide

The head of the World Health Organization said on Wednesday that there is “cause for optimism” given the nearly 90% reduction in COVID-19 deaths worldwide since the pandemic began nine months ago, but he also urged continued vigilance because new variants are still emerging.

In the past week, the WHO received reports of just over 9,400 deaths connected to the coronavirus, according to Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

“We have come a long way, and this is definitely cause for optimism. But we continue to call on all governments, communities and individuals to remain vigilant,” he said at a virtual news conference from the WHO’s Geneva headquarters.