WHO: Over 40 athletes in Paris Olympics diagnosed with COVID-19

The UN health agency is also concerned that more severe variants of the coronavirus may soon be on the horizon.

"COVID-19 is still very much with us," and circulating in all countries, Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove of WHO told journalists in Geneva.

"In recent months, regardless of the season, many countries have experienced surges of COVID-19, including at the Olympics where at least 40 athletes have tested positive," Dr. Van Kerkhove said.

"Data from our sentinel-based surveillance system across 84 countries reports that the percent of positive tests for SARS-CoV-2 has been rising over several weeks," she said. "Overall, test positivity is above 10 percent, but this fluctuates per region. In Europe, percent positivity is above 20 percent," she added.

Tested-positive athletes at the Olympics include Adam Peaty, who was diagnosed a day after winning silver in the 100m breaststroke final. In Australia, a female swimmer had to withdraw from the 1500m freestyle event because of COVID-19.

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