The choices made by the young can be "the difference between life and death for someone else", WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.
Over 11,000 patients have died from the Covid-19 respiratory illness worldwide.
Nearly 250,000 patients have tested positive overall.
The WHO chief's remarks follow reports that young people in many countries are being complacent about health warnings, because of the greater susceptibility to the virus among older patients.
The coronavirus outbreak was first recorded in China in December. But now the centre of the pandemic is Europe.
In Italy - where the virus has killed more people than in any other country - the death toll rose by 627 on Friday, reaching a total of 4,032, making it the deadliest day for one country since the outbreak began.
Police in Sydney have closed Bondi Beach after crowds exceeded Australia's outdoor gathering limit.
The country has banned outdoor gatherings of more than 500 people in a bid to tackle the spread of coronavirus.
However large crowds of people are still flocking to beaches across Sydney, flouting advice to stay inside.
Images from Bondi Beach on Friday showed swimmers, surfers and sunbathers packed in huge numbers onto the sand.
Police temporarily closed the beach on Saturday. It is not clear when it will reopen to the public.
0 Comments