Covid cases increased 80%, but mortality dropped – 08/11/2023 – Health

Cases of Covid-19 detected worldwide have increased by 80%, although mortality has reduced by 57%, according to data from the WHO (World Health Organization) published this Friday (11).

These numbers coincide with a noticeable increase in the circulation of a new variant of the virus in countries like the United States, United Kingdom and France, in the middle of summer in the northern hemisphere.

Between July 10 and August 6, about 1.5 million cases were reported, an increase of 80% over the previous 28 days, reported the WHO weekly report. The death toll dropped by 57% to 2,500.

The WHO has warned that these figures do not reflect the real situation, as diagnostic tests and monitoring of the pandemic have plummeted.

In the East Pacific region, infections increased by 137% in the last month, the organization added.

Health authorities in the United States, United Kingdom, India, France and Japan also announced increases in cases, albeit moderate.

Viruses keep changing

In early May, the WHO declared that the pandemic is no longer a global health emergency.
Last Wednesday, however, its director general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, warned that “the virus continues to circulate in all countries, continues to kill and modify itself”.

Its EG.5 version, dubbed Eris by some scientists, is currently the most detected and may be responsible for the recrudescence.

More than 17% of Covid-19 cases reported in mid-July were attributed to EG.5, compared with 7.6% the previous month, according to the WHO.

In addition to the crowds caused by the holidays, a decrease in immunity may play a role, experts say.

Version EG.5 is a subvariant of the omicron family, which is in turn part of the XBB strain. It seems more transmissible than others in circulation, probably due to new genetic mutations.

“It has been identified in India, but also in other Asian countries, North America and Europe, where it tends to replace previous dominant variants,” explained AFP Antoine Flahault, director of the Institute of Global Health at the University of Geneva. “This variant does not appear to cause specific symptoms or particular virulence where it has been detected.”

“Available evidence does not suggest that EG.5 poses additional public health risks, but the risk of a more dangerous variant emerging remains,” said Tedros.

“The fog is thick over the epidemiological situation around the world. It is urgent that health authorities re-establish a reliable surveillance system around Covid”, says Flahault, who defends in particular the analysis of wastewater in Europe.

“The question is whether immunodeficient people and those of advanced age will be submitted to tests, even in the case of mild symptoms, so that they can benefit from early antiviral treatments, essential to reduce the risk of serious forms”, says Flahault.

Vaccination remains critical, and the WHO urged on Wednesday to “intensify efforts to increase vaccination coverage”.

Although anti-covid vaccines lose effectiveness over time with regard to contagions, they remain very protective of serious forms.

To better adapt to virus mutations, pharmaceutical groups Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna and Novavax are preparing vaccines targeting XBB, as recommended by the WHO in the spring.

In several countries, including France, vaccination campaigns, focusing on the vulnerable, are planned for this fall, alongside flu campaigns.