GENEVA: World Health Organization's Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Friday Kuwait was the largest contributor to WHO's coronavirus combat operations. Kuwait contributed $60 million to WHO's respond programs against coronavirus which claimed lives of over 50,000 and affected some a million others, Ghebreyesus told a press briefing.

He said restrictions imposed by governments worldwide to prevent spread of coronavirus have economic and social ramifications, but they also curb the spread and left a great impact on peoples. WHO is supporting calls by the International Monetary Fund and World Bank to protect communities with low income, said Ghebreyesus, and saving lives of people through application of preventive measures should be coupled with provision of food and basic needs.

He said governments should comply with WHO's coronavirus guidelines with regards to testing, quarantining and follow up of cases. Lifting curfew at an early time, he warned, would jeopardize communities because they could face a second wave thus an increase in infections. Ghebreyesus called on countries to boost of health systems and alleviate financial difficulties of citizens. - KUNA