The head of the World Health Organisaton (WHO) has urged governments across the world to deploy measures like masking and improved ventilation amid unacceptably high numbers of deaths.

While many governments of wealthier countries have all but abandoned coronavirus restrictions following successful vaccine rollouts, the organisation's director-general emphasised that the pandemic is "nowhere near over".

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said sub-variants of Omicron continue to drive new waves of cases, hospitalisations and deaths around the world.

Amid increasing COVID transmission and rising hospitalisations, Dr Tedros urged governments to "deploy tried and tested measures like masking, improved ventilation and test and treat protocols".

"I am concerned that cases of COVID-19 continue to rise - putting further pressure on stretched health systems and health workers," he said.