The number of fresh Covid cases have increased by 52 per cent over the past four weeks, as per the WHO reports. Approximately 850,000 new cases have been reported during that period.
The number of death tolls is seen decreasing by 8 per cent in the period of previous month, with over 3000 new death cases registered, WHO published in its latest press release.
Spike in hospitalizations and death tolls
More than 772 million confirmed cases and around 7 million death cases have been reported globally as the new Covid wave started soaring up.
The World Health Organization also added that more than 118,000 new hospitalisations have been recorded and over 1600 fresh intensive care unit (ICU) admissions are reported. Therefore, an average spike of 23 percent and 51 percent cases are in rise respectively, globally.
JN.1, Variant of Interest, rapidly spreading
Owing to the fact of massively spread, JN.1, a sub-variant of BA.2.86 Omicron variant has been classified as separate variant of interest (VOI) along with its parent lineage BA.2.86. However, it was previously identified as a virus of interest of BA.2.86 sublineage.
According to the available data and evidence, the potential public health risk threatened by JN.1 is currently examined to be lower globally. Notably, with the onset of winter in the Northern Hemisphere, JN.1 might increase the issues of respiratory infections across countries. WHO was monitoring continuously with a need to provide updates about the risk potential of JN.1 virus.
Existing vaccines would be able to protect against the severity of diseases and death from the JN.1 variant and also other spreading variants of SARS-CoV-2 which caused Covid-19. WHO expressed concern about circulation of Influenza, RSV, and common childhood pneumonia amid the Covid fears.
WHO’s notified preventive measures
It is noteworthy that WHO has published advisory recommendations suggesting people to take preventive measures against infections and severe illness using available tools.
The recommendations mention ways such as wearing a mask when in a congested place, crowded, or barely ventilated areas, maintaining a safe distance from others, practising respiratory protections like using hankie while coughing or sneezing, cleaning hands regularly and getting tested if symptoms matches or if you might have been in touch with someone with COVID-19 or influenza.
Tags: WHO, Covid-19, Virus, globally, preventive measure, JN.1 variant
