Geneva/New Delhi: India reported 312 deaths as new COVID-19 cases reached 1,22, 695 in the last 28 days between March 20 and April 16, 2023, the World Health Organization stated in Geneva today. In New Delhi, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare reported 11,692 new cases in the last 24 hours with 10,780 recoveries in the last 24 hours.
Latest WHO figures revealed that India saw a 1068% increase in COVID-19 cases between March 20 and April 16, 2023, and the death figures rose also by 643% (312 new deaths; <1 new death per 100 000) during this period. In comparison, India had seen only 10,503 new cases between February 20 and March 19, 2023.
Nepal with a 1933% rise (996 versus 49 new cases) reported the highest proportional increase of COVID-19 cases among the 11 countries of WHO’s South East Asia Region for which data were available. In the Region, besides Nepal and India, the Maldives also saw a 1004% increase in new cases (287 versus 26 new cases). Overall, the Region reported over 141 000 new cases, a 654% increase as compared to the previous 28-day period. The number of new 28-day deaths in the Region increased by 210% as compared to the previous 28-day period, with 484 new deaths reported. After India, the highest numbers of new deaths were reported from Indonesia (152 new deaths; <1 new death per 100 000; +79%), and Thailand (13 new deaths; <1 new death per 100 000; -52%).
WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean region also saw a 96% increase as compared to the previous 28-day period in new cases with over 55 000 new cases. Nine (41%) of the 22 countries in the Region for which data are available reported increases in new cases of 20% or greater, with the highest proportional increases observed in Afghanistan (2836 vs 690 new cases; +311%), Qatar (8996 vs 2451 new cases; +267%), and Saudi Arabia (7044 vs 2328 new cases; +203%). The highest numbers of new cases were reported from Iran (24 020 new cases; 28.6 new cases per 100 000; +90%), Qatar (8996 new cases; 312.2 new cases per 100 000; +267%), and Saudi Arabia (7044 new cases; 20.2 new cases per 100 000; +203%). The number of new 28-day deaths in the Region increased by 134% as compared to the previous 28-day period, with 857 new deaths reported. The highest numbers of new deaths were reported from Iran (754 new deaths; <1 new death per 100 000; +193%), Lebanon (34 new deaths; <1 new death per 100 000; -6%), and Tunisia (22 new deaths; <1 new death per 100 000; +16%).
Globally, however, there was a decrease of 27% and 32%, respectively, in the number of new COVID-19 cases and new deaths because of it between March 20 and April 16, 2023, as compared to the previous 28 days (February 20 to March 19, 2023). In all, over 2.8 million new cases and approximately 18,000 deaths were reported during this period, globally.
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At the country level, the highest numbers of new 28-day cases were reported from the United States of America (432 798 new cases; -45%), the Republic of Korea (286 182 new cases; +6%), the Russian Federation (259 138 new cases; -24%), France (219 428 new cases; +65%), and Brazil (212 578 new cases; +35%). The highest numbers of new 28-day deaths were reported from the United States of America (5559 new deaths; -32%), Brazil (1177 new deaths; -26%), the Russian Federation (994 new deaths; -4%), Germany (813 new deaths; -58%), and the Islamic Republic of Iran (754 new deaths; +193%).
Among the 25 countries consistently reporting new hospitalizations, eight (32%) countries registered an increase of 20% or greater in hospitalizations during the past 28 days compared to the previous 28-day period: Qatar (249 vs 46; +441%), Afghanistan (10 vs 7; +43%), France (10 485 vs 7540; +39%), Indonesia (1 732 vs 1280; +35%), Latvia (713 vs 532; +34%), Ukraine (17 423 vs 13 872; +26%), Estonia (555 vs 443; +25%), and Malaysia (4498 vs 3712; +21%). The highest number of new hospitalizations was reported from Ukraine (17 423 vs 13 872; +26%), France (10 485 vs 7540; +39%), and Italy (8866 vs 11 785; -25%).
Among the 23 (10%) countries that consistently reported new ICU admissions, five (22%) countries showed an increase of 20% or greater in new ICU admissions during the past 28 days compared to the previous 28-day period: Qatar (seven vs four; +75%), France (959 vs 721; +33%), Pakistan (22 vs 17; +29%), Malaysia (37 vs 29; +28%), and Indonesia (103 vs 82; +26%). The highest numbers of new ICU admissions were reported from France (959 vs 721; +33%), Ukraine (438 vs 451; -3%), and Italy (294 vs 447; -34%).
– global bihari bureau
