The World Health Organisation has released ‘sobering’ statistics around the Covid-19 pandemic estimating that around 15 million people have died across the globe since January 2020.
The staggering figures were concluded by counting those who died from the virus, as well as others who died due to the pressure on hospitals across the globe leading to delays in other treatments.
In a statement on Thursday, it was confirmed by the WHO: “New estimates from the World Health Organization show that the full death toll associated directly or indirectly with the Covid-19 pandemic between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2021, was approximately 14.9 million).”
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Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO chief, then said these "sobering" stats show the need for every country to invest in better health systems that can cope with a crisis.
”These sobering data not only point to the impact of the pandemic but also to the need for all countries to invest in more resilient health systems that can sustain essential health services during crises, including stronger health information systems,” he said.
Although the organisation estimates that there were more than 3,000 deaths missed in Ireland during the pandemic, previous studies estimated it to be a lower figure of 1,000.
Speaking about the scale of the figures, Dr Samira Asma, from the WHO's data department, said: "It's a tragedy.
"It's a staggering number and it's important for us to honour the lives that are lost, and we have to hold policymakers accountable," she told the BBC.
"If we don't count the dead, we will miss the opportunity to be better prepared for the next time."
Among the countries with the highest excess death rates are India, Russia, Indonesia, the USA, Brazil, Mexico, and Peru, according to the WHO figures.
The virus still remains a threat to those who have compromised immune systems, however, Professor Luke O’Neill has suggested that Ireland could have access to a new ‘variant proof’ vaccine by Autumn.
The newest form of protection has reportedly been shown to protect against Covid as well as the original virus, SARS-CoV-2, Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron in monkeys.
Speaking to Newstalk’s Pat Kenny, Prof O’Neill said: “We're waiting with bated breath - so that's definitely the one that's the most exciting, the universal COVID vaccine.
"I thought the data would be out by now, by the way.
"But... their animal data was really impressive - they've human data coming very soon.
"Now this could be the answer - there's at least nine universal vaccines in development.
"But the US Army have got very interesting technology, they're using these nano-particles - very high tech.
"And the efficacy in the animals was remarkable, so we'll see now if that's going to work in humans.
"That could be the one that will become the vaccine we'll use here, for instance, in autumn maybe if all the trials work out."
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