Global cases of COVID-19 increased 70%, a percentage never seen before, in the past week from December 27 to January 2, but deaths from the disease fell 10% in that period, according to the published epidemiological report. today by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Last week there were 9.5 million confirmed infections, a figure that almost double the previous weekly records, while the deaths were 41,000, which is the fourth consecutive week of decreases in deaths despite the current virulent wave of infections.
Paradoxically, America, the continent where the increase in cases was greater (100%), was also the region where deaths fell the most (18%), while in Europe, with a 65% increase in positive cases, deaths they were down 6%.
In absolute figures, Europe was the continent with the most infections registered in the study week (5.3 million) and more deaths (22,000), while in America 3.2 million positives and 10,000 deaths were reported.
At the current rate, Europe, with 103 million cases since the start of the pandemic, will soon surpass America (104 million) in confirmed infections of COVID-19.
In Africa, the continent where the omicron variant was first detected, cases only increased by 7% last week, the lowest percentage by region, although deaths were up 22% (1,100 in the seven days studied).
In the rest of the regions there were decreases in deaths, including South Asia, where deaths fell 7% despite the strong growth of 78% in new infections.
The epidemiological report did not offer data on the presence of the different variants of the coronavirus in new infections, although in some countries it is already reported that the omicron strain is the dominant one.
More than 9.3 billion anticovid vaccines have been administered in the world, with which 59% of the world population has received at least one dose, although the percentage drops to 8.8% in the case of low-income countries, the majority located on the African continent.
RECOMMENDED VIDEO
.
Ricardo is a renowned author and journalist, known for his exceptional writing on top-news stories. He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he is known for his ability to deliver breaking news and insightful analysis on the most pressing issues of the day.
