Lower testing rates likely reason for falling COVID-19 case reports, says WHO

Reuters

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="A picture taken on May 8, 2021 shows a sign of the World Health Organization at the entrance of its headquarters in Geneva. Fabrice Coffini, AFP/file" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2022/afp/02/16/20220216-who.jpg"/><figcaption>A picture taken on May 8, 2021 shows a sign of the World Health Organization at the entrance of its headquarters in Geneva. <em>Fabrice Coffini, AFP/file</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>A drop in COVID-19 testing rates is likely contributing to a decline in reported cases even as deaths are rising, the World Health Organization&#x27;s technical lead on COVID-19 Maria Van Kerkhove said on Wednesday.</p><p>&quot;The bigger concern right now, I think, is the still increasing number of deaths,&quot; Van Kerkhove said during a virtual panel discussion livestreamed on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.</p><p>&quot;In the last week alone, almost 75,000 people died reported to us and we know that that is an underestimate.&quot;</p><p>The countries claiming that their transmission has dropped from 2 to 6 weeks ago have likely seen a drop in testing rates, said WHO&#x27;s emergencies chief Mike Ryan.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/02/17/22/us-weighing-next-phase-of-covid-as-omicron-wanes">US weighing next phase of COVID-19 as omicron wanes, officials say</a></li></ul><p>The WHO earlier this week urged governments to improve vaccination rates and rapid testing as infections have risen from the omicron variant of the coronavirus, especially in east Europe.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/02/17/22/bali-welcomes-back-tourists-with-first-intl-flight">Bali welcomes back tourists with 1st international flight</a></li></ul><p>Several countries have announced plans to relax COVID-19 restrictions in coming weeks if daily infection numbers kept falling.</p><p>Now is not the time for countries to change isolation requirements for people who test positive in rapid antigen or PCR tests, Ryan added.</p><div><em>(Reporting by Manojna Maddipatla and Mrinalika Roy in Bengaluru; Editing by Richard Chang)</em></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=1909950" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

Now is not the time for countries to change isolation requirements for people who test positive in rapid antigen or PCR tests, says one WHO official.

Lower testing rates likely reason for falling COVID-19 case reports, says WHO | ABS-CBN

Entertainment

News

Metro.Style

Lifestyle

Sports

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Spotlight

Lower testing rates likely reason for falling COVID-19 case reports, says WHO

Reuters

Published Feb 17, 2022 02:21 AM PHT

Read More:

COVID 19

coronavirus

pandemic

COVID testing

WHO

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.