The World Health Organisation (WHO) has revealed alarming statistics regarding the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. As of July 21, 2024, the global count has surpassed 775 million confirmed cases, with more than seven million fatalities since the virus first emerged.
In a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja, the WHO highlighted a significant surge in both new cases and deaths during the most recent 28-day period (June 24 to July 21). The data shows a 30% increase in new cases and a 26% rise in deaths compared to the preceding 28-day period.
Over 186,000 new cases were reported across 96 countries, representing 41% of nations worldwide. During the same period, more than 2,800 new deaths were recorded across 35 countries, accounting for 15% of the global tally.
Additionally, the WHO provided insights into the burden on healthcare systems, reporting over 23,000 new hospitalizations and more than 600 new intensive care unit (ICU) admissions globally. These figures mark an 11% increase in hospitalizations and a 3% rise in ICU admissions among countries consistently reporting such data.
The organization emphasized the ongoing challenges posed by COVID-19, urging nations to remain vigilant and continue monitoring the virus’s impact on public health systems.
