The World Health Organization said that one in 10 people worldwide may have tested positive for coronavirus.

At a special meeting of WHO leaders, a top official said the estimate meant “the vast majority of the world remains at risk”.

The WHO meetings are being held in Geneva, Switzerland, to talk about the global response to the pandemic.

Various countries are experiencing a second wave of the virus due to ease in restrictions.

Over 35 m people have been confirmed as contracting Covid-19. However, the WHO’s estimate shows a figure closer to 800 m.

Experts said that the real number of infections would exceed those confirmed.

The executive director of the WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme Mike Ryan said that 10% of the world’s population has contracted the virus.

“This varies depending on the country, it varies from urban to rural, it varies between different groups,” he said.

“But what it does mean is that the vast majority of the world remains at risk. We know the pandemic will continue to evolve but we also know we have the tools that work to suppress transmission and save lives right now and they are at our disposal.”

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called for solidarity and leadership from countries. He said, there had been marked differences in the number of cases around the world.

“Although all countries have been affected by this virus, we must remember that this is an uneven pandemic. Ten countries account for 70% of all reported cases and deaths and just three countries account for half,” he said.