In December, thousands of people lost their lives due to infection with the "JN.1" variant of the coronavirus at the gatherings held on the occasion of the holiday all over the world.

Axar.az reports that the head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said this.

According to him, about 10,000 deaths were registered in December in about 50 countries - mainly in Europe, as well as in North and South America, and the number of hospitalizations increased by 42%.

He also expressed the assumption that the rate of infection has increased in other countries, but they have not shared the relevant information with the organization.

Gebreyesus called on all world governments to closely monitor the situation and ensure uninterrupted access to vaccines and medical care.

The head of the WHO said that the existing vaccines provide some protection against the "JN.1" virus variant.