World Health Organisation says end of Covid pandemic ‘in sight’

Queenslanders are being warned not to become Covid complacent despite a shock declaration from the World Health Organisation.

A leading infectious diseases expert has warned Queenslanders of “ongoing” Covid transmission despite the World Health Organisation confirming the end of the pandemic was “in sight”.

Infectious diseases physician and clinical microbiologist Assoc Prof Paul Griffin said there was “a lot of concern” about winter in the northern hemisphere and whether this would lead to a “big spike in cases” or a new variant.

It comes just days after the WHO’s technical lead on Covid Maria Van Kerkhove said the declining number of cases was “deceptive” with many countries cutting back on testing.

“We feel that far more cases are actually circulating than are being reported to us, “ she added, cautioning that the virus “is circulating at a very intense level around the world at the present time”.

But Ms Kerkhove said “those future waves of infection do not need to translate into future waves of death”.

Queensland recorded 10,009 new Covid cases from September 6-13 – an average of 1420 a day.

Associate Professor Paul Griffin

That was up on the previous daily average of 1008 cases the week before.

Queensland Health confirmed new cases would be updated weekly with the same number reflective of active cases due to seven-day isolation requirements.

Assoc Prof Griffin said it was important for Queenslanders to remain vigilant and understand that there would be “ongoing transmission” and “another wave at some stage”.

“I think it’s true the end is in sight, case numbers and deaths have fallen to numbers we haven’t seen since the beginning of the pandemic,” he said.

“But now is more important than ever (for Queenslanders) to be doing the basics and maybe even intensifying our efforts to make sure we do hit that finish line.”

“This virus is unpredictable – there could easily be a new sub variant any day or in six to 12 months that could cause a big spike in cases,” Assoc Prof Griffin said.

But Assoc Prof Griffin said the ability to manage cases is improving everyday but “reduced testing” is certainly contributing to declining case numbers.

“This WHO announcement is important but it doesn’t signify the end of the pandemic or the fact that the virus has gone away,” he said.

“We will continue to see (Covid) waves.”