Geneva, May 12 (RHC)-- The World Health Organization, the WHO, has said that "extreme vigilance" is needed as countries begin to exit from lockdowns imposed to curb the spread of the new coronavirus, amid global concerns about a second wave of infections.

Germany earlier reported an acceleration in new coronavirus infections after it took early steps to ease its lockdown.  South Korea, another country that had succeeded in limiting virus infections, has seen a new outbreak in nightclubs.

"Now we are seeing some hope as many countries exit these lockdowns," Dr Mike Ryan, head of the WHO's emergencies program, told an on-line news briefing, but he added that "extreme vigilance is required".

"If the disease persists at a low level without the possibility to investigate clusters there's always the possibility that the virus takes off again," he said.