COVID surge in Americas could be ‘even larger’ than in 2020: PAHO

Coronavirus cases are mounting in several countries, prompting a dire warning from the Pan American Health Organization chief.

The head of the World Health Organization’s Americas body has warned that the region could see a worse spike in coronavirus infections than the one it experienced last year, as several countries are struggling to contain mounting infections and deaths. In a news briefing on Wednesday, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Director Carissa Etienne said “it is no accident” that a recent rise in COVID-19 cases in several countries coincides with the summer vacation season in the Southern Hemisphere. “Without preventive action, our region could face an upsurge even larger than the last one,” she told reporters.