Geneva: During the week of 13 until 19 June 2022, over 3.3 million COVID-19 cases were reported, a 4% decrease as compared to the previous week, the World Health Organization stated here today.
The number of new weekly COVID-19-related deaths too declined by 16% as compared to the previous week, with over 7500 fatalities reported, it added.
Globally, the number of new weekly cases has continued to decline since the peak in January 2022.
At the country level, the highest number of new weekly cases were reported from the United States of America (652 217 new cases; -12%), China (406 401 new cases; -19%), Germany (356 414 new cases; +10%), Brazil (256 034 new cases; -9%), and France (253 322 new cases; +33%). The highest number of new weekly deaths were reported in the United States of America (1 858 new deaths; -13%), China (1 044 new deaths; -13%), Brazil (956 new deaths; -3%), the Russian Federation (443 new deaths; -11%), and Italy (338 new deaths; -24%).
The Omicron Variant Of Concern (VOC) continues to be the dominant variant circulating globally, accounting for nearly all sequences reported to GISAID between 17 May and 17 June 2022. Among Omicron lineages, as of epidemiological week 23 (6 to 12 June 2022), the proportions of BA.2 and its descendent lineages (pooled lineages named BA.2.X) are declining but nonetheless remain dominant, accounting for 36% and 12% respectively.
Globally, BA.5 and BA.4 lineages continue to rise in prevalence and have been detected in 62 and 58 countries respectively. BA.2.12.1, which has now been detected in 69 countries, has decreased in prevalence since the previous week. As of week 23, the prevalence of BA.5 is 25% (from the previous week 16%), BA.4 is 9% (from the previous week 16%) and BA.2.12.1 is 17% (from the previous week 31%). BA.4 and BA.5 have a constellation of genetic mutations that differ from BA.2, including a shared mutation at S:L452 which has been associated with higher transmissibility. The rise in prevalence of BA.4 and BA.5 has coincided with a rise in cases in several WHO regions. In some countries, the rise in cases has also led to a surge in hospitalizations and ICU admissions; however, the current evidence available does not indicate a change in severity associated with any of the three Omicron descendent lineages BA.2.12.1, BA.4 and BA.5.
Based on sequence data submitted to GISAID, variant circulation and dynamics differ by country. Multiple countries report co-circulation of BA.2.12.1, BA.4 and BA.5. The prevalence of VOC-LUMs BA.2.9.1, BA.2.11 and BA.2.13 (all carrying the S:L452 mutation) is <1%.
– global bihari bureau
