WHO reports 90% drop in global COVID-19 deaths since February

The head of the World Health Organization said Wednesday that there has been a 90% drop in global COVID-19 deaths since February, which he called a 'cause for optimism' but still urged 'caution' amid the ongoing pandemic. 'Just over 9,400 COVID-19 deaths were reported to WHO last week -- almost 90% less than in February of this year, when weekly deaths topped 75,000,' WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said during a virtual press briefing from the U.N. agency's Geneva headquarters. 'We have come a long way, and this is definitely cause for optimism, but we continue to call on all governments, communities and individuals to remain vigilant,' he added. 'Almost 10,000 deaths a week is 10,000 too many, for a disease that can be prevented and treated.'