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The World Health Organization (WHO) issued an alarming update on the escalating global COVID-19 situation, noting a staggering 52% increase in new cases over the past month. The latest epidemiological report spanning from November 20 to December 17 disclosed an unsettling surge, with over 850,000 fresh infections reported worldwide during this period.
However, amidst this surge, there was a contrasting decrease of 8% in new fatalities, with over 3,000 deaths reported in the same timeframe. The cumulative global toll stands at a daunting 772 million confirmed cases and nearly seven million deaths as of December 17.
In a concerning trend, the WHO highlighted a significant rise in hospitalizations and ICU admissions. Between November 13 and December 10, there were over 118,000 new COVID-19 hospitalizations and over 1,600 ICU admissions recorded globally, marking a 23% and 51% increase, respectively, among consistently reporting countries.
Adding to the complexity, the WHO identified JN.1, a sub-lineage of the BA.2.86 Omicron variant, as a new Variant of Interest (VOI) due to its rapid prevalence spike. However, EG.5 continues to dominate as the most reported VOI on a global scale.
Region-specific data revealed alarming surges in the South-East Asia Region, with over 9,200 new cases, a staggering 388% increase compared to the previous 28-day period. Indonesia, India, and Thailand emerged as the top contributors to these soaring numbers.
Despite the concerning surge, the WHO reaffirmed the efficacy of current vaccines against severe disease and death caused by the JN.1 variant and other circulating strains of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The organization assured continual monitoring and updating of risk evaluations regarding JN.1 based on emerging evidence.
To combat the rampant spread of the virus, the WHO reiterated crucial preventive measures. These include wearing masks in crowded or poorly ventilated spaces, maintaining safe distances, practicing respiratory etiquette, prioritizing regular hand hygiene, and promptly getting tested for COVID-19 or influenza upon experiencing symptoms or potential exposure.
The WHO’s emphasis on these preventative measures underscores the global efforts required to curb the escalating threat posed by the virus and its variants.
