The World Health Organization has again urged wealthier nations to release their excess stock of Covid-19 vaccinations as soon as possible to help poor, third-world countries fight the further spread of the virus.

The WHO Director General, Tedros Ghebreyesus says the Organization is concerned with the rapid increase in infections seen globally, noting that the number of new infections per week, had globally, nearly doubled over the past 2 months.

Ghebreyesus says infections figures have now increased to its highest rate, since the start of the pandemic.

Over 5.2M new #COVID19 cases were recorded last week, & total deaths are now over 3M. Big numbers can make us numb, but each death is a tragedy for a family, community & nation. If we apply the tools we have, consistently & equitably, we can bring this pandemic under control. pic.twitter.com/fZ7iqD8pva

— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) April 20, 2021