The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned against "pandemic fatigue" as cases spike worldwide, especially in the northern hemisphere.

"Working from home, children being schooled remotely, not being able to celebrate milestones with friends and family or not being there to mourn loved ones — it's tough and the fatigue is real," said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Monday. But, he said, "we cannot give up … Leaders must balance the disruption to lives and livelihoods with the need to protect health workers and health systems as intensive care fills up."

Ghebreyesus also warned against the politicization of the pandemic.

He said, "where there has been political division at the national level; where there has been blatant disrespect for science and health professionals, confusion has spread and cases and deaths have mounted."

/DW