06 June 2025

Q: Is there an increase in COVID-19 cases and deaths in the Eastern Mediterranean Region currently?

COVID-19 cases are increasing all over the world, including in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

The virus will continue to mutate and evolve, and this results in new variants that may cause surging trends.

The current increases are caused by NB.1.8.1; a variant under monitoring and currently doesn’t pose any additional health risks compared to other variants circulating.

Therefore, these increases remain consistent with the levels observed during the same time last year, indicating no sudden, abnormal, or unexpected virus activity.

For now, the hospital and intensive care needed- treatments are very limited.

Q: How does WHO assess the situation?

Given that COVID-19 transmission continues at considerable levels in many areas, WHO’s latest risk assessment associated with COVID-19 remains high.

Until an updated risk assessment is released, WHO reiterates its recommendations to countries to continue monitoring and reporting COVID-19 activity and burden, as well as the impact on public health and the healthcare system.

Based on the current risk assessment of this event, WHO advises against imposing travel or trade restrictions.

Q: How do I protect myself?

Help keep yourself and everyone safe from COVID-19, flu, and other respiratory illnesses.

Avoid crowds and keep a safe distance from others.

Wear a mask if you feel sick, have been close to people who are sick, if you are at high-risk. Or in crowded or poorly ventilated areas.Clean your hands frequently with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.

Cover your mouth and nose with a bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze.

Dispose of used tissues right away and clean your hands.

If you develop symptoms, self-isolate until you recover.

Get vaccinated and staying up to date with booster doses.

Q: Are COVID-19 vaccines effective against NB.1.8.1 variant?

Currently approved vaccines are effective against this variant, meaning they help prevent severe disease and death.

Q: What is WHO’s advice to countries?

WHO advises all countries to remain vigilant and continue applying a risk-based, integrated approach to managing COVID-19.

WHO released an updated package of recommendations in December 2024 to help countries develop evidence-based policies for managing COVID-19 transmission, particularly in high-risk and vulnerable populations, and to reduce morbidity, mortality, and long-term complications. These include:

Maintaining effective collaborative surveillance systems for early detection, variant monitoring, and disease burden assessment.

Ensuring continued equitable access to and uptake of COVID-19 vaccines, particularly among high-risk groups, guided by national immunization strategies aligned with WHO recommendations.

Strengthening healthcare delivery systems to ensure high-quality clinical management of COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 conditions,

• Enhancing risk communication and community engagement to empower people to make informed decisions and counter misinformation.

Q: What is the current COVID-19 public health response?

Since the formal declaration of the end of the public health emergency of international concern in May 2023, countries have adopted diverse approaches to continuing COVID-19 management.

Some countries have integrated COVID-19 activities into existing respiratory disease programmes.

Other countries remain in transitional phases, maintaining targeted interventions while adapting systems and structures for integrated management of infectious diseases.

Vaccination efforts remain a cornerstone of protection for high-risk groups, with updated vaccines being offered through routine or targeted immunization strategies, often alongside those for seasonal influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Risk communication and community engagement activities continue to inform and empower the public.

WHO continues to support countries by convening and coordinating global stakeholders and relevant networks, developing evidence-based guidance and policy recommendations, and providing tailored support to help build and sustain core capabilities in collaboration with other key partners.

For more information: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)