New Covid cases reported globally have fallen by a quarter in the past week, while deaths have fallen by 6% but still remain higher in parts of Asia, according to a published report Thursday by the World Health Organization (WHO).
According to this source, 5.4 million new Covid cases were reported last week, a 24% drop from the previous week. Around the world, infections have fallen, including nearly 40% in Africa and Europe and a third in the Middle East.
While the death toll from the disease has fallen or remained stable in most regions, deaths have increased in the Western Pacific (31%) and Southeast Asia (12%).
WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also lamented on Wednesday 15,000 deaths last week.
“15,000 deaths in one week is totally unacceptable, when we have all the tools to prevent infections and save lives,” the senior official said indignantly. “Please get vaccinated if you are not, and if you need a booster, make an appointment,” he said.
The WHO Committee of Experts on Vaccine Policy (SAGE) also recommended on Thursday that people most at risk of the Covid-19 virus be offered a second booster dose to boost their immunity.
SAGE considered that second boosters should be offered to the elderly, all immunocompromised people, pregnant women, as well as people with conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and heart, lung and kidney disease.
