WHO reiterates warning to young people about coronavirus

 

 

"The idea that the Covid-19 only affects the elderly is factually wrong," said WHO Europe director-general Hans Kluge at a weekly press conference broadcast online from Copenhagen.

 

"Age is not the only risk factor for a severe form of the disease," said Kluge.

 

Critical cases have been seen in adolescents and young adults, many have required intensive care and some have died, he said.

 

In Europe, the youngest victim identified is a 12-year-old child who died in Belgium. In the United States, a six-week-old baby infected with coronavirus also died.

 

Between 10 and 15 percent of those under 50 have a moderate to severe infection, according to the WHO.

 

However, "those who age in good health are less at risk," said Kluge, who assures "that people over 100 years of age (...) admitted to hospital for Covid-19 have since fully recovered ".

 

WHO Europe lists more than 464,859 official cases linked to the virus and 30,098 deaths in the 53 very different countries of its constituency, which extends from the Atlantic coast of the continent to the Pacific coast of Russia.

 

Some 80% of those who died had at least one underlying co-morbidity, particularly cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

 

For Mr. Kluge, compliance with health regulations is necessary "at any age".

 

"It is not only an act of solidarity with others, especially those most likely to be seriously affected, but also a vital act for (his) own health and (his) security."