GARDEN ROUTE | KAROO NEWS - The World Health Organisation (WHO) in its latest Covid-19 update (issued on 11 January) says data as of 8 January show that globally, nearly 2.9 million new cases and over 11 000 deaths were reported in the week of 2 to 8 January 2023.
This represents a reduction in weekly cases and deaths of 9% and 12%, respectively.
However, these trends need to be interpreted considering the reduction in testing and delays in reporting in many countries during the year-end holiday season.
Therefore, data presented in this report, especially for the most recent weeks, are incomplete and the decreasing trends should be interpreted in that context as they may change with updated information provided following the holiday period, according to the WHO.
In the last 28 days (12 December 2022 to 8 January 2023), over 13.9 million cases and over 49 000 new deaths were reported globally – an increase of 10% and 22% respectively, compared to the previous 28 days. As of 8 January 2023, over 659 million confirmed cases and over 6.6 million deaths have been reported globally.
At the regional level, the number of newly reported weekly cases decreased or remained stable across all WHO regions: the European Region (-36%), the South-East Asia Region (-27%), the African Region (-23%), the Region the Americas (-7%), the Eastern Mediterranean Region (-1%), and the Western Pacific Region (+1%). The number of newly reported weekly deaths decreased or remained stable across four regions: the African Region (-53%), the European Region (-34%), the South-East Asia Region (-19%), and the Region of the Americas (-3%); while death numbers increased in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (+31%), and the Western Pacific Region (+5%).
At the country level, the highest numbers of new weekly cases were reported from Japan (1 070 496 new cases; +13%), the United States of America (462 944 new cases; +17%), the Republic of Korea (403 800 new cases; -12%), China (204 609 new cases; -6%), and Brazil (145 933 new cases; -29%). The highest numbers of new weekly deaths were reported from the United States of America (2695 new deaths; +8%), Japan (2149 new deaths; +11%), Brazil (926 new deaths; -17%), China (722 new deaths; +11%), and France (621 new deaths; -22%).
Africa Region overview during week 2 to 8 January 2023
The African Region reported 4581 new cases, a 23% decrease as compared to the previous week. Two (4%) of the 50 countries for which data are available reported increases in new cases of 20% or greater: South Africa (1470 new cases; 2.5 new cases per 100 000; +322%) and Mozambique (180 vs 69 new cases; +161%).
The highest numbers of new cases were reported from Réunion (2104 new cases; 235 new cases per 100 000; +14%), South Africa, and Ethiopia (659 new cases; <1 new case per 100 000; -27%).
The number of new weekly deaths in the region decreased by 53% as compared to the previous week, with eight new deaths reported. The highest numbers of new deaths were reported from Réunion (four new deaths; <1 new death per 100 000; +300%), Côte d’Ivoire (two new deaths; <1 new death per 100 000; +100%), and Mauritius (one new death; <1 new death per 100 000; -50%).
Underestimates of the true number of infections
Current trends in reported COVID-19 cases are underestimates of the true number of global infections and reinfections as shown by prevalence surveys.
Therefore, the data should be interpreted with caution as several countries have progressively changed COVID-19 testing strategies, resulting in lower numbers of tests performed and consequently lower numbers of cases detected.
Additionally, data from previous weeks are continuously updated to retrospectively incorporate changes in reported COVID-19 cases and deaths made by countries.
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