Outbreak Brief #1: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic Date of Issue

Outbreak Update:  As of 21 March 2023, a total of 760,360,956 COVID-19 cases and 6,873,477 deaths (case fatality ratio [CFR]: 1%) have been reported globally by 232 countries and territories to the World Health Organization (WHO). The distribution of cumulative cases (percentage of global cases) from the WHO regions (excluding Africa) are as follows: Eastern Mediterranean Region 23,276,221 (3%), European Region 274,095,113 (41%), Region of the Americas 190,933,060 (28%), South-East Asia Region 60,777,224 (9%) and Western Pacific Region 201,769,109 (17%). In the past seven days, the five countries reporting the highest number of new cases are the United States of America (170,593), Russia (66,377), the Republic of Korea (57,042), China (53,283), and Japan (48,515). As of 21 March 2023, over 5 billion people (63% of the global population) have been fully vaccinated. For more detailed information on cases and deaths reported outside of Africa, refer to the WHO COVID-19 dashboard.

As of 6 p.m. East African Time (EAT) 21 March 2023, a total of 12,272,323 COVID-19 cases and 256,557 deaths (CFR: 2.1%) have been reported by the 55 African Union (AU) Member States (MS). This represents 2% of all cases and 4% of all deaths reported globally. Forty-three (78%) AU MS are reporting CFRs higher than the global CFR. Since the detection of COVID-19 on the African continent (in February 2020), 53 (96%) AU MS has experienced three distinct COVID-19 waves, 48 (87%) MS have experienced four waves, 28 MS have experienced five waves, 6 MS have experienced a sixth wave and one MS (Kenya) has experienced a seventh wave.

Fifty-three MS have reported COVID-19 cases infected with the Alpha (50 MS), Beta (45), Delta (52), Gamma (3), and Omicron (51) variants of concern (VOC). Additionally, 32 MS have detected the Omicron BA.2 sub-variant, while 23 MS detected the Omicron BA.4, 20 MS detected the Omicron BA.5, 9 MS detected the Omicron BA.2.75, 11 MS detected the Omicron BF.7 and 7 MS detected the Omicron XBB sub-variants. More information on SARS-COV-2 sequencing and the breakdown of variants reported by AU MS is available on the Africa Pathogen Genomics Initiative Dashboard.

Fifty-four (98%) MS are currently providing COVID-19 vaccination to the general population. Cumulatively, 979 million doses have been administered on the continent. Of these doses administered, 480.4 million people have been partially vaccinated, 415.6 million have been fully vaccinated, and 45%^[1] of the target population on the continent is fully vaccinated. Eritrea is the only AU MS yet to start the COVID-19 vaccination rollout. More information on COVID-19 vaccination can be found on the Africa CDC COVID-19 vaccine dashboard.