COVID-19 deaths likely to hit 20 lakh before availability of vaccine: WHO

New Delhi: The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that the global death toll from COVID-19 could reach 2 million before a vaccine is available and could be even higher without proper efforts to contain the spread.

Dr Michael Ryan, Executive Director, WHO Health Emergencies Programme, said that unless "concerted action" is taken, the 2 million number is not only imaginable, but very likely.

"The real question is: Are we prepared, collectively, to do what it takes to avoid that number?," Dr. Ryan said.

Ryan further added that young people should not be blamed for a recent increase in infections despite growing concerns that youths are causing the virus to spread more and more.

WHO officials have also warned that several countries in Europe are reporting an "increasing trend in cases" and a "worrying" rise in COVID-19 hospitalizations and ICU admission.

Meanwhile, the WHO has published draft criteria for the assessment of emergency use of COVID-19 vaccines to help guide drugmakers as vaccine trials reach advanced stages.

The document will be available for public comment until October 8, said WHO assistant director-general, Mariangela Sima.

A Chinese health official said the WHO had given its support to start administering experimental coronavirus shots to people even while clinical trials were still underway.

Over 5.8 million coronavirus cases have been detected so far in India, with over 86,000 new cases reported in the last 24 hours.

The death toll from the virus has reached 92,290, in the country, as per the health ministry's report.

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