WHO Warns Nations to Remain Vigilant Against Virus

WHO has said that figures showing a global surge in COVID 19 cases could herald a much larger problem as test rates have declined in some countries as well. 

According to WHO, after more than a month of decline, COVID cases began to surge around the world last week, and lockdowns in Asia and Jilin Province in China struggled to contain the outbreak.

WHO said that the increase in the number of cases was caused by a combination of factors including the highly transmissible Omicron variant and its BA.2 sublineage, and the lifting of public health and social measures.

As of March, new infectious diseases increased by 8% worldwide compared to the previous week, 11 million new cases were reported, and slightly more than 43,000 new deaths were reported. This is the first increase since late January.

Africa saw a 12% surge in new cases and a 14% rise in deaths, and Europe a 2% rise in cases but did not see a rise in deaths. Experts have raised concern that Europe may face another coronavirus wave with the rise in cases. Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands and the United Kingdom have also reported a rise in the cases since the beginning of March.