WHO: "Korea Reports Highest Number of New COVID-19 Cases Last Week"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] As COVID-19, which had temporarily slowed down worldwide, is spreading again, South Korea recorded the highest number of new confirmed cases last week.

According to the weekly epidemiological report from the World Health Organization (WHO) on the 16th (local time), the number of new COVID-19 cases worldwide from the 7th to the 13th was 11,407,714, an 8% increase compared to the previous week.

After peaking in late January and showing a declining trend, the weekly number of new confirmed cases worldwide turned to an increase last week.

The resurgence of COVID-19 was led by the Western Pacific region, including South Korea.

By region, new confirmed cases increased compared to the previous week in the Western Pacific (29%), Africa (12%), and Europe (2%).

On the other hand, the Eastern Mediterranean (-24%), Southeast Asia (-21%), and the Americas (-20%) saw decreases.

By country, South Korea reported 2,100,171 new COVID-19 cases during this period, recording the highest number of new confirmed cases.

It was followed by Vietnam (1,670,627), Germany (1,350,362), the Netherlands (475,290), and France (419,632).

The cumulative number of confirmed cases worldwide was counted at 455,565,230 as of the 13th.

However, new deaths last week were 43,097, a 17% decrease compared to the previous week.

By region, only the Western Pacific (12%) saw an increase in new deaths, while other regions such as the Eastern Mediterranean (-49%), Africa (-41%), Europe (-23%), the Americas (-15%), and Southeast Asia (-15%) all saw decreases.

By country, the United States (9,078) reported the highest number of new deaths last week, followed by Russia (4,530), Brazil (3,301), Indonesia (1,994), and China (1,955).

The cumulative number of deaths worldwide was reported as 6,039,440 as of the 13th.

WHO explained, "As many countries continue to change their testing strategies, the number of tests and confirmed cases is decreasing," and added, "The trends shown in the report should be interpreted cautiously."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.