Weekly COVID-19 Epidemiological Update: Issue 35 (4 October 2022)

Abstract

Since the onset of the pandemic in 2020 and up to October 04, 2022, a cumulative total of approximately 615.8 million COVID-19 cases including 6.5 million deaths were reported from all six WHO regions. During epidemiological week (EW) 39, cases decreased in all WHO (range: -28.4 - -7.5%) but one region - EURO (13%). COVID-19 deaths decreased in all six WHO regions (range: -23.9 - -2.2% decrease). Globally, approximately 3,017,434 new COVID-19 cases were reported in EW 39 (September 25, 2022-October 01, 2022) - a -4.1% decrease compared to EW 38 (September 18, 2022- September 24, 2022) (Figure 1). For the same period, 8,391 new COVID-19 deaths were reported globally – a -11.7% relative decrease compared the previous week. In the region of the Americas, 441,133 cases and 3,745 deaths were reported in EW 39 - a -11.1% decrease in cases and -2.2% decrease in deaths compared to the previous week. At the subregional level, COVID-19 cases increased in two subregions – South America (0.8%) Caribbean and Atlantic Ocean Islands (52.7%). COVID-19 Deaths decreased in all (range: - 25.9 - -2.5%) but one subregion – North America (5.3%). The overall weekly case notification rate for the region of the Americas was 43.1 cases per 100,000 population during EW 39 (48.5 the previous week). Between EW 39 and 38, the 14- day COVID-19 death rate was 7.4 deaths per 1 million population (8 the previous two weeks). Among 30 countries/territories in the region with available data, COVID-19 hospitalizations increased in 5 countries and territories (range: 0.6% - 246.2%) during EW 39 compared to the previous week. Among 21 countries and territories with available data, COVID-19 ICU admissions increased in 6 countries and territories (range: 3.2% - 200%).