WHO "COVID-19 New Cases Decrease for 3 Consecutive Weeks... South Korea Down 29% Compared to Previous Week"

On the 11th, the streets of Myeongdong, Seoul, were crowded with citizens as the number of new COVID-19 cases fell below 100,000 for the first time in 48 days.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] The number of new COVID-19 cases worldwide has decreased for three consecutive weeks.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) weekly epidemiological report on the 13th (local time), the number of new COVID-19 cases worldwide from April 4 to 10 was 7,221,651, a 24% decrease compared to the previous week.

By region, all areas showed a decline, including the Western Pacific region (which includes Korea) (-26%), Europe (-26%), Africa (-17%), Southeast Asia (-8%), the Americas (-4%), and the Eastern Mediterranean (-4%).

By country, Korea (1,459,454 cases) still reported the highest number of new weekly cases, but this was a 29% decrease compared to the previous week.

Three weeks ago (March 21?27), Korea's new cases decreased by 13% compared to the previous week, and two weeks ago (March 28?April 3), they decreased by 16%, showing an increasing rate of decline.

The cumulative number of confirmed cases worldwide was recorded at 496,507,539 as of the 10th.

During the same period, new deaths worldwide decreased by 18% compared to the previous week, with all regions, including Africa (-40%) and the Western Pacific (-21%), reporting declines. The cumulative number of deaths worldwide was recorded at 6,177,354 as of the 10th.

WHO cited the surge in new cases worldwide earlier this year as due to the spread of the highly transmissible Omicron variant, the easing of restrictions, and the waning immunity acquired through vaccination and post-infection recovery over time.

Additionally, WHO reported that subvariants of Omicron, including BA.2, BA.4, and BA.5, have appeared consecutively and are being closely monitored.

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