GENEVA — The number of new global cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is decreasing, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in a statement, according to Sputnik News Agency.

"The number of global new cases reported has continued to fall, with 2.7 million new cases last week, a 16% decline over 500,000 fewer new cases compared to the previous week. The number of new deaths reported also fell, with 81,000 new deaths reported last week, a 10% decline as compared to the previous week," the WHO said.

"A total of five out of six WHO regions reported a double-digit percentage decline in new cases, with only the Eastern Mediterranean Region showing a 7% rise. Europe and the Americas continue to see the greatest drops in absolute numbers of cases. Meanwhile, the number of new deaths declined in all regions," it said.

The number of reported global weekly COVID cases is falling and has dropped nearly 50 percent this year, the WHO said recently.

This incredibly encouraging news shows the power of public health measures — but we must remain vigilant. Letting our guard down now, when new variants are emerging, could easily reverse the trend.

According to a WHO press release: "Last week saw the lowest number of reported weekly cases since October," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told journalists at a regular press briefing in Geneva.

Noting a nearly 50 percent drop this year, he stressed that "how we respond to this trend" is what matters now. While acknowledging that there is more reason for hope of bringing the pandemic under control, the WHO chief warned, "the fire is not out, but we have reduced its size."

"If we stop fighting it on any front, it will come roaring back."

This welcome news shows that when governments respond rapidly by putting in place public health measures, we reap the benefits even before widespread vaccine rollouts. That's a really important message now, and for when the next pandemic hits (and another one eventually will).

It's likely these public health measures — such as lockdowns, physical distancing, mask-wearing and increased hygiene measures — are what's driving the global downward trend. That shows the benefit when leaders do engage and bring their populations with them.

To keep that trend going in the right direction, we need high levels of public compliance with those public health measures and more equitable access to vaccines globally. — Agencies