Biweekly COVID-19 Epidemiological Update: Issue 63 (2 August 2023) 

Abstract

Since the onset of the pandemic in 2020 and up to 02 August 2023, a cumulative total of 768,983,095 COVID-19 cases including 6,953,743 deaths were reported from all six WHO regions. In EW 27-30 2023, approximately 1,336,321 new COVID-19 cases were reported globally; a -29.2% change compared to EW 23-26 2023. For the same period, 3,392 new COVID-19 deaths were reported globally; a -30.4% change compared the previous four-week period (Figure 1). During EW 27-30, 2023, cases decreased in 4 WHO regions while they increased in WPRO and AFRO, and deaths decreased in 4 WHO regions while they increased in SEARO and AFRO. In the region of the Americas, a cumulative total 193,209,590 cases and 2,958,859 deaths were reported. In EW 27-30 2023, the Region reported 86,451 cases (-30.8%) and 1,417 deaths (-28.5%). At the subregional level, COVID-19 cases increased in Caribbean and Atlantic Ocean Islands. Deaths increased in Central America and Caribbean and Atlantic Ocean Islands. The overall monthly case notification rate for the region of the Americas was 8.5 cases per 100,000 population during EW 27-30 (12.2 the previous 4 weeks). Between EW 23- 26 and EW 27-30, the 8-week COVID-19 death rate was 3.3 deaths per 1 million population (6.3 the previous eight weeks). Among 12 countries/territories in the region with available data, COVID-19 hospitalizations increased in 4 countries and territories (range: 7.4% - 100%) during EW 27-30 compared to the previous 4 weeks. Among 11 countries and territories with available data, COVID-19 ICU admissions increased in 2 countries and territories (range: 35.3% - 150%).