London, Europe Brief News – Global Covid cases rose last week, fuelled by increasing cases in three regions. The World Health Organization (WHO) raised alarm bells in its latest weekly update.
In the United States, levels of the more transmissible BA.2 subvariant showed more signs of rising. As the country grapples with funding the ongoing pandemic response.
Last week, cases rose 8% compared to the week before, led by increases in the Western Pacific region that include Asia’s current hot spots, Africa, and Europe. However, deaths continued to decline, falling 17% compared to the previous week.
Of more than 11 million cases reported globally last week. The five countries with the most cases included South Korea, Vietnam, Germany, the Netherlands, and France.
At a WHO media briefing today, Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, PhD, said the new rises are occurring despite reduced testing in some countries, “which means the cases we are seeing are just the tip of the iceberg.”
He said more local outbreaks and surges are expected, especially where COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted. However, he raised concerns about unacceptably high mortality levels in many countries where vaccination levels are low in susceptible populations.
“Each country is facing a different situation with different challenges, but the pandemic is not over,” Tedros said.
