The head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom, has warned that the worst is still to come in relation to the coronavirus pandemic. The warning comes at a time when a number of countries around the world have begun easing restrictions imposed by the pandemic.

The WHO chief did not specify why he believes the pandemic, which has infected nearly 2.5 million people worldwide and claimed the lives of more than 175,000 people, could be worsening. However, some have already pointed to the future spread of contagion in Africa, where health systems are less developed.

The WHO chief recalled that a century ago, Spanish flu had claimed the lives of 100 million people worldwide. “But now we have the technology, we can avoid such a disaster, we can prevent this kind of crisis”, he said. “Believe me. The worst is still ahead. Let’s prevent this tragedy. It’s a virus that many people still don’t understand”, warned the WHO chief.

It is recalled that just a few days ago, US President Donald Trump temporarily suspended US payments to the World Health Organization. He has instructed the government to stop paying contributions while reviewing the WHO’s role in “mismanagement and hiding the spread of coronavirus”.

UN Secretary-General Antоnio Guterres condemned the decision to suspend US funding tonight (local time). “This was not the time to cut resources for the World Health Organization or for another humanitarian organization to fight the virus,” Guterish said. “Now is the time for the international community to work together in solidarity to stop this virus and its devastating effects”.