On Thursday, the World Health Organization revealed new coronavirus cases reported globally dropped nearly a quarter in the last week, while deaths fell 6% but were still higher in parts of Asia.
The U.N. health agency said there were 5.4 million new COVID-19 cases reported last week, a decline of 24% from the previous week.
The WHO added that infections fell worldwide, nearly 40% in Africa and Europe and a third in the Middle East.
The WHO noted that COVID deaths rose in the Western Pacific and Southeast Asia by 31% and 12%, respectively, but fell or remained stable everywhere else.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom said reported coronavirus deaths over the past month have surged 35% and noted there had been 15,000 deaths in the past week.
“15,000 deaths a week is completely unacceptable when we have all the tools to prevent infections and save lives,” Tedros said.
Moreover, Adhanom said the number of viral sequences shared every week has plummeted by 90%, making it extremely difficult for scientists to monitor how COVID-19 might be mutating.
“But none of us is helpless,” Adhanom said.
“Please get vaccinated if you are not; if you need a booster, get one,” Adhanom added.
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