Brace for wave 2: WHO warns world that Covid-19 isn’t disappearing – it’s surging

South Africa has a relatively low number of reported Covid-19 deaths compared to many other countries, but the number of cases is rising steadily – heading towards 56,000 this week. Most of the 1,200 or so deaths have been reported in the Western Cape. President Cyril Ramaphosa has warned that Covid-19 will be with us for some time, a message that is in tune with the statement from the World Health Organisation that Covid-19 isn't disappearing from the world, but is in fact surging. Along with the spread of the deadly Covid-19 disease are fears about the toll this virus continues to take on economies. – Jackie Cameron

By Thulasizwe Sithole

The historic Covid-19 pandemic is not ending – it is surging. This is the message underscored by one of the USA's leading media organisations, as restrictions are lifted around the world and the sense of urgency surrounding the disease weakens.

The Washington Post highlights that there were 136,000 new infections reported on Sunday, the highest single-day increase since the start of the pandemic. And, there are more than 7 million confirmed cases so far, with the number of deaths nearing half a million – and little sign of this tapering off.

"By no means is this over," the publication quotes Mike Ryan, the World Health Organisation's (WHO) executive director, as saying.

___STEADY_PAYWALL___