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The World Health Organization (WHO) indicated in its latest statement that 21 million new coronavirus infections were registered in the third week of January, the highest weekly number since the pandemic began. Instead, the agency determined that the death toll had remained stable.
In its report, WHO indicated that the percentage variation of cases compared to the previous week was 5% and added that, according to figures, the rate of increase in infections could decrease as only half of the regions reported an increase in infections. new infection.
The Middle East region saw the highest number of new infections with a 39% increase, while Southeast Asia saw a 36% spike compared to the previous week.
As for the deaths associated with this disease, the figure shows no significant change with more than 50,000 deaths in the period.
The Americas also experienced the week with the most infections, with 8 million new cases. That number translates to a 32% increase in infections compared to the previous week. America, which continues to be the region in the world with the highest death toll, added 18,000 new deaths.
Tedros: “It cannot be said that the pandemic is over”
On January 24, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of WHO, reported that it was impossible to talk about “an imminent pandemic” and instead urged caution as “conditions are still ripe for new variants to emerge.”
In this regard, the biggest concern for WHO about the emergence of new variants of the virus is that there is a percentage of the population that is not vaccinated. Even so, the agency is optimistic about the possibility of exiting the acute phase of the pandemic if the immunization goal of at least 70% of each country’s population by the end of the year is met.
According to the AP news agency, scientists have stated that the massive spike in transmission caused by Omicron has stabilized but infection rates remain high. Nonetheless, they repeated the high transmissibility of the variant while taking into account that the likelihood of serious illness and hospitalization was less.
Germany and UK record high infection rates
Amid the situation, the German and British health authorities reported that both countries recorded high spikes in infections in the last 24 hours.
Scientists say there are signs that the massive surge caused by Omicron is starting to wane, but infection rates remain high.
In that UK, researchers at Imperial College London reported the highest prevalence rate in the UK’s history of the disease earlier this month, estimating that around one in 23 people tested had the virus.
Argentina: infections fall but deaths hit new maximum
The latest epidemiological report from the Argentine Ministry of Health shows that the country recorded 88,503 new infections in the last 24 hours (26 January) while adding 317 deaths related to the disease in the period.
The data reflect a reduction in infections compared to the figures shown on January 25 but, in terms of deaths, they represent the highest number of deaths since August 9 when 503 deaths were reported.
On the other hand, Brazil, the world’s third country with the highest number of infections according to an independent tally by Johns Hopkins University, recorded a new record 224,567 cases and 570 deaths related to the disease in the past 24 hours, according to data for the National Council of Health Secretaries (Conass).
By AP and Reuters
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