Over 40 athletes at the 2024 Paris Olympics have tested positive for Covid-19, underscoring a global surge in cases as vaccination rates decline, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). High-profile cases include British swimmer Adam Peaty and Australian competitor Lani Pallister, both of whom fell ill during the games. WHO's Maria Van Kerkhove emphasized that the virus is still prevalent, with rising positive test rates observed in 84 countries. Wastewater surveillance indicates that actual SARS-CoV-2 circulation may be significantly higher than current reports. Van Kerkhove noted that the current surge is atypical for respiratory viruses, which usually peak in colder months, yet many countries are experiencing increases regardless of the season. She warned that the ongoing evolution of the virus poses risks for more severe strains that could evade detection and medical interventions.