As nations reopen, warning emerges about virus tracing voids


World Health Organization Health Emergencies Programme head Michael Ryan at a news conference Jan 12 in Geneva. — AFP

NEW YORK: A top world health official on May 11 warned that countries are essentially driving blind in reopening their economies without setting up strong contact tracing to beat back flare-ups of the coronavirus.

The warning came as France and Belgium emerged from lockdowns, the Netherlands sent children back to school, and many US states pressed ahead by lifting business restrictions. Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced the company's 10,000-worker electric car factory near San Francisco was operating on May 11 in defiance of coronavirus health orders that closed nonessential businesses.

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