The World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced that as of July 21, 2024, more than 775 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 and over seven million deaths have been reported globally since the pandemic began.
The information was revealed in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday.
The WHO noted a significant rise in new infections and deaths during the most recent 28-day reporting period, from June 24 to July 21, 2024.
According to the statement, new cases increased by 30%, while deaths rose by 26% compared to the previous 28-day period.
Over 186,000 new cases were recorded across 96 countries, and more than 2,800 new fatalities were reported across 35 countries during this time frame.
The statement also highlighted that 46 countries reported data on COVID-19 hospitalizations, while 35 countries provided information on intensive care unit (ICU) admissions.
More than 23,000 new hospitalizations and over 600 new ICU admissions were attributed to COVID-19.
Among countries consistently reporting this data, there was an 11% increase in new hospitalisations and a 3% rise in new ICU admissions compared to the previous period.
The WHO continues to monitor the situation closely, urging nations to remain vigilant as the global fight against COVID-19 persists.
