Illustrative image (Photo: Bangkok Post)

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said 10,000 deaths were reported in December, and hospital admissions jumped 42%. Although COVID-19 is no longer a global health emergency (since May last year), the virus is still constantly mutating and increasing its ability to infect, especially people with underlying medical conditions, the WHO warned. 

COVID-19 is putting pressure on the health systems of many countries due to the simultaneous outbreak of other diseases, particularly seasonal flu. Face masks will be mandatory in hospitals and health centers in Spain beginning Wednesday because of a surge in cases of flu, COVID, and other respiratory illnesses.

Spanish Health Minister Monica Garci said, "This is the minimum basic measure that we have learned from the pandemic:  the first thing to do is to protect the most vulnerable. Infected people need isolation and the most practical method is wearing a mask."

The figures published by the WHO are based on statistics from just 50 countries, mainly in Europe and America, so the actual numbers are certainly higher. Mr. Ghebreyesus said that, although 10,000 deaths a month is far less than the peak of the pandemic, this level of preventable deaths is not acceptable, and countries need to step up vaccination, testing, and advising people to wear masks.