Global Covid cases up by over 60pc in 28 days: WHO

More than 1.47 million people worldwide were infected with Covid-19 between July 24 and August 20, a 63 per cent increase over the previous 28 days, and over 2,000 people died, a 48 per cent decrease over the same period, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported.

According to the WHO report, 1,470,201 Covid-19 cases and 2,059 deaths were reported worldwide during the four-week period.

Covid cases were reported in 103 countries. The virus "remains a major threat," and the WHO is urging countries to maintain the Covid-19 infrastructure they have put in place. The organisation expects them to continue to work on early warning, surveillance and identification of Covid strains.

WHO recommends booster vaccination in high-risk groups, improved ventilation. The organisation 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 per cent increase in incidence was noted in the eastern Mediterranean from July 24 to August 20. There were also increases in the Western Pacific (88 per cent) and Europe (12 per cent) during this period.

At the same time, an 84 per cent 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 per cent. It decreased in four other WHO regions, including 49 per cent 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).

From the end of January 2020 to 5 May, 2023, WHO declared a global health emergency. On 11 March, 2020, WHO declared the Covid-19 outbreak a pandemic.

A total of 769,806,130 cases of Covid-19 have been reported worldwide, with 6,955,497 deaths, according to an update on the organisation's website. WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a May 5 briefing in Geneva that the true death toll is at least 20 million.

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