World must invest more to avoid Covid repeat: G20 panel

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The world must invest much more to avoid a repeat of the coronavirus pandemic, experts convened by the G20 said as they warned the next health crisis could come within a decade.

“The world is far from equipped to prevent or stop the next pandemic,” the High Level Independent Panel said in a report presented at the G20 finance ministers meeting in Venice, Italy, AFP reported.

It said even as Covid-19 rages, “there is every likelihood that the next pandemic will come within a decade — arising from a novel influenza strain, another coronavirus, or one of several other dangerous pathogens.”

“Its impact on human health and the global economy could be even more profound than that of Covid-19,” it said.

Healthcare workers perform tests for coronavirus onboard “Ocean Viking”, in Augusta, Sicily, Italy on Friday. — Reuters
Healthcare workers perform tests for coronavirus onboard “Ocean Viking”, in Augusta, Sicily, Italy on Friday. — Reuters

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