There was a 17 percent drop in the number of new COVID-19 infections last week, the fourth consecutive seven-day period with a decline in new cases.

This was revealed by the World Health Organization Director-General, Tedros Adhanom, in his COVID-19 briefing on Thursday.

Tedros also revealed a 10 percent decline in the number of deaths reported last week compared to the week before.

"These declines appear to be due to countries implementing public health measures more stringently," said Tedros.

"But remember, we have been here before. Now is not the time to relax measures, or for any of us to let down our guard. Every life that is lost now is all the more tragic as vaccines are now being rolled out.'

The WHO chief called for more concerted efforts globally to bring the virus under control, noting the new strains that have emerged.

"Every time the virus mutates – no matter where in the world – it has the potential to blunt the effectiveness of our vaccines, medicines, and tests," he said.

Terdos' remarks came as the number of confirmed COVID-19 infections globally surpassed the 107.42 million mark with deaths exceeding 2.35 million.