Last week’s WHO COVID-19 epi update showed a general decline in new global COVID-19 cases and deaths, however the African and American regions did report an increase in cases (by 31 and 13 percent respectively). Africa’s surge was driven by a 67 percent hike in new infections in South Africa fuelled by the BA.4 and BA.5 sub-variants, while in the Americas, the USA logged a 27 percent increase, with BA.2.12.1 sub-lineage detections rising. In the SE Asian region, highest numbers of new cases were reported by Thailand and India. The WHO Director-General gave a briefing yesterday in which he said that cases are now rising in more than 50 countries, highlighting the volatility of SARS-CoV-2. Read more
In related news:
- A May 9 article by The Conversation covered the current advice on COVID-19 vaccine timings in Australia following the latest ATAGI meeting: ‘COVID vaccination recommendations evolve over time. Who is due for which dose now?’
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