COVID-19 Informer: WHO warns worst is ahead of us

With a body slam.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said: "Trust us. The worst is yet ahead of us.

"Let's prevent this tragedy. It's a virus that many people still don't understand."

Dr Ghebreyesus did not specify why he believes the outbreak that has infected some 2.5 million people and killed more than 166,000 could get worse. But maybe one of his offsiders completed that thought for him.

Maria van Kerkhove urged vigilance, saying a large proportion of the population who hadn't been infected remained susceptible.

"So that means that the virus can take off again," WHO's technical lead on COVID-19 said."And so we need to ensure that the measures that are put in place (to transition out of lockdown) are done carefully."

On the day India recorded its biggest single-day spike in coronavirus cases (1553 cases were reported over 24 hours) and the infection rate actually dropped in Italy, the push to ease restrictions grows.

Some European countries are easing their lockdown measures, with Germany reopening some shops, Norway's kindergarten pupils are back at school, hairdressers back in business in Denmark and Albania plans to let its mining and oil industries reopen, along with hundreds of other businesses.

South Koreans are returning to work and crowding shopping malls, parks, golf courses and some restaurants are reopening for business.

The less populous New Zealand cautiously eased restrictions with PM Jacinda Ardern continuing to emphasise that eradicating the disease will give New Zealand the best chance for a positive economic response.

"Alert level three allows more economic activity, like construction, manufacturing and forestry, but it does not allow more social activity. And for good reason.

"If we want to make sure we are a health success story and ensure our economy can start to operate again without the virus, we need to get this next phase right. The worst thing we could do would be to yo-yo between levels with all the uncertainty that can bring."

In the US health workers faced down street protesters, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio pined for his stricken city and another "milestone" was also reached - US oil prices have dropped to negative values for the first time in history, as global demand dries up as a result of the coronavirus.

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