The World Well being Group's (WHO) newest report reveals a 55 % enhance in new coronavirus circumstances final week, with solely Africa seeing a drop. The variety of deaths, in the meantime, stayed secure.

The U.N. well being company reported that just about each world area is seeing a spike in circumstances, with roughly 15 million new circumstances globally final week. However in Africa, officers reported an 11 % lower.

It was the primary time circumstances fell in that area. In late November, southern Africa noticed a steep rise in coronavirus infections when the Omicron variant was first detected. Consultants now consider that wave has ended within the area.

The WHO mentioned the extremely contagious Omicron variant is now the main pressure, surpassing the Delta variant, and is inflicting the current surges and record-breaking numbers. Regardless of experiences that this variant causes less-severe circumstances of COVID-19, the WHO reported over 43,000 deaths final week. Officers additionally say Omicron can "evade immunity" and has a shorter doubling time.

Final week, the WHO recorded a brand new pandemic excessive of 9.5 million new infections, which it known as a "tsunami."

Nations are implementing new restrictions to assist curve the unfold of Omicron. In the meantime, hospitals are dealing with employees shortages and a rising demand for beds.

Scientists in Britain and the U.S. are saying there are early indicators the Omicron wave might have peaked, however consultants are uncertain what the pandemic's subsequent section will deliver.

WHO Reports Record Cases
The variety of new coronavirus infections jumped by about 55 % globally, in line with the World Well being Group's newest pandemic report. Above, WHO Director-Basic Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at a press convention on December 20, 2021, in Geneva. FABRICE COFFRINI/Getty Photographs

WHO additionally famous that North, South and Central America reported the highest-ever variety of coronavirus circumstances this week, with a 78 % spike, primarily pushed by the U.S.

The variety of new circumstances in Europe rose by 31 %, however the WHO experiences indicated there was a ten % drop in deaths.

This previous week, Southeast Asia noticed the largest leap in virus infections, the place circumstances elevated by greater than 400 %, with essentially the most important numbers reported in India, Timor-Leste, Thailand and Bangladesh. The variety of deaths within the area fell by 6 %.

The Omicron variant spreads much more simply than different coronavirus strains and has already develop into dominant in lots of nations. It additionally extra simply infects those that have been vaccinated or had beforehand been contaminated by prior variations of the virus. Nonetheless, early research present Omicron is much less more likely to trigger extreme sickness than the Delta variant, and vaccination and a booster nonetheless provide sturdy safety from severe sickness, hospitalization and loss of life.

The Related Press contributed to this report.