"Even though we're in the midst of a crisis, essential health services must continue," the chief of the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Monday, noting people still need life-saving treatment for a range of diseases in addition to COVID-19. 

A total of 693,224 cases of COVID-19 had been reported as of 10:00 CET (0800 GMT) on Monday and the pandemic had killed 33,106 people worldwide, according to the WHO's situation dashboard. 

Outside China, the number of infections has surpassed 610,000, among which more than 120,000 cases were reported in the United States. 

"The COVID-19 pandemic is straining health systems in many countries," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a daily briefing, noting that deaths due to vaccine-preventable and treatable conditions could increase dramatically when health systems are overwhelmed. 

Nevertheless, Tedros called on countries to balance the demands of responding directly to COVID-19 with maintaining essential health services including routine vaccination, care during pregnancy and childbirth, treatment for infectious and non-communicable diseases and mental health conditions, and blood services, among others. 

It also requires an adequate health workforce to deal with the many health needs other than COVID-19, said Tedros. 

Noting the key role of medical supplies other than health facilities for patients, Tedros called for ensuring the free movement of essential health products, stressing it's vital for saving lives and curbing the social and economic impacts of the pandemic. 

He also called on countries to work with companies to increase production, as well as to ensure equitable distribution of those products based on need. 

"Specific attention should be given to low- and middle-income countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America," he added.

(Top image via VCG)