The number of new COVID-19 cases increased by 52 percent globally in the 28-day period from November 20 to December 17, 2023, compared to the previous 28-day period. WHO’s weekly epidemiological report says.
At the same time, more than 850,000 new cases were registered. The number of new deaths is down 8 percent from the previous 28-day period, but there are more than 3,000 new deaths.
As of December 17, 2023, there have been more than 772 million confirmed cases and nearly 7 million deaths worldwide.
WHO data shows that the number of new coronavirus cases in Southeast Asia has increased by 388 percent in four weeks, and deaths have more than tripled. Africa has 77 percent more cases and 50 percent fewer deaths. In Europe, the incidence rate increased by 54 percent, and mortality — by 14 percent. At the same time, in the Americas Region, incidence decreased by 23 percent and mortality by 48 percent. In the Eastern Mediterranean, 51 percent fewer people got infected and the number of deaths decreased by 65 percent.
In addition to the Russian Federation, the top five countries with the largest number of new cases of coronavirus include Singapore (120,898), Italy (114,795), Poland (39,828) and Australia (39,505). Italy has the most deaths registered — 510. It is followed by Sweden (396), Russia (376), Australia (211) and Poland (141).
