Covid-19 Incidence up Globally by Over 60pc in 28 Days

The World Health Organization (WHO) revealed that between July 24 and August 20, more than 1.47 million people throughout the world acquired COVID-19, a 63% rise from the previous 28 days, and over 2,000 people passed away, a 48% drop from the previous 28 days.

1,470,201 COVID-19 cases and 2,059 fatalities were recorded globally during the course of the four-week timeframe, according to the WHO study.

103 nations reported COVID instances. The virus "remains a major threat," and the WHO is advising nations to keep up the COVID-19 infrastructure they have set up. The organization anticipates them to keep up their efforts in early warning, surveillance, and COVID strain identification.

WHO recommends booster vaccination in high-risk groups, improved ventilation. The organization pointed out that the increasing prevalence of the COVID strain EG.5. As of August 24, it had been detected in 53 countries. A week earlier, there were 50 such countries.

A 112% increase in incidence was noted in the eastern Mediterranean from July 24 to August 20. There were also increases in the Western Pacific (88%) and Europe (12%) during this period.

At the same time, an 84% decrease in incidence was observed in Africa. An increase in mortality over the four-week period was observed only in the eastern Mediterranean - by 70%. It decreased in four other WHO regions, including 49% in Europe. Comparative data for the Americas were not available in the report.

South Korea had the most cases (1,286,028) in a four-week period. It was followed by Australia (22,836), the United Kingdom (21,866), Italy (19,777) and Singapore (18,125). South Korea recorded the most deaths (328) from July 24 to August 20. It was followed by Russia (166), Italy (165), Australia (148) and the Philippines (136).

WHO declared a global health emergency that will last from the end of January 2020 until May 5, 2023. The WHO labeled the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic on March 11, 2020. According to an update on the organization's website, there have been 769,806,130 cases of COVID-19 registered globally, with 6,955,497 fatalities. At a conference on May 5 in Geneva, WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that the actual death toll is at least 20 million.