COVID-19 Concerns Continue in Several Countries

The World Health Organization (WHO) today published its weekly epidemiological update focused on the COVID-19 pandemic. 

On April 13, 2023, the WHO's Edition #138 highlighted very positive trends.

Over the last 28 days (March 13 to April 9, 2023), COVID-19 cases decreased by 28%.

And related fatalities declined by 30% compared to the previous period.

However, contrary to the global trend, increases in reported COVID-19 cases and deaths were seen in the South-East Asia and Eastern Mediterranean regions and several individual countries.

At the regional level, the number of newly reported 28-day cases decreased across four of the six WHO regions: The African Region (-45%), the Western Pacific Region (-39%), the Region of the Americas (-33%), and the European Region (-22%).

While case numbers increased in two WHO regions: the South-East Asia Region (+481%) and the Eastern Mediterranean Region (+144%).

The highest numbers of new 28-day cases were reported at the country level from the U.S., the Russian Federation, the Republic of Korea, Brazil, and France.

The WHO suggests international travelers remain fully protected against COVID-19 by speaking with a healthcare provider to determine if a Spring or Summer COVId-19 booster is recommended, as well as various travel vaccines.