WHO Chief Lauds Mumbai Slum Dharavi's Success In Controlling Coronavirus Spread

In an attempt to give hope to people, the World Health Organization on Friday said that it is still possible to bring coronavirus outbreaks under control, even though the number of cases have more than doubled in the past six weeks.

Giving examples of countries like Italy, Spain, South Korea and Asia¡¯s largest slum, Dharavi, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that no matter how bad the outbreak, the virus could still be controlled through aggressive action.

PTI

Also Read: Dharavi, One Of World's Largest Slum Emerges As Covid-19 Cluster

Once a COVID-19 hotspot, Dharavi reported a single-digit rise in COVID-19 cases this week for three consecutive days. On Friday, 12 new coronavirus cases were reported there even as total number of cases continue to rise in Dharavi.

Talking about the successful control of the coronavirus to a virtual press conference in Geneva, Tedros said, "Some of these examples are Italy, Spain and South Korea, and even in Dharavi -- a densely packed area in the megacity of Mumbai -- a strong focus on community engagement and the basics of testing, tracing, isolating and treating all those that are sick is key to breaking the chains of transmission and suppressing the virus."

Also Read: The Turnaround Of Dharavi - From Potential Disaster To Possible COVID-19 Role Model For India

"In ???????????? & ?? & even in Dharavi, a densely packed area in Mumbai, a strong focus on community engagement & the basics of testing, tracing, isolating & treating all those that are sick is key to breaking the chains of transmission & suppressing the virus"-@DrTedros

¡ª World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) July 10, 2020

The WHO director general also said, "Only aggressive action combined with national unity and global solidarity can turn the COVID19 pandemic around."

Tedros¡¯ statement came the same day as Mike Ryan, head of the World Health Organization's emergencies programme, said that it was unlikely that the new coronavirus would be eliminated.

PTI

However, a decrease in coronavirus cases in Dharavi slum in India can indeed tells us there's hope still.