Update on the ongoing Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Global Epidemic, Brief #114

Outbreak Update:  As of 21 March 2022, a total of 469,052,852 COVID-19 cases and 6,076,720 related deaths (case fatality ratio (CFR): 1.3%) have been reported globally by 227 countries and territories to the World Health Organization (WHO). The distribution of cumulative cases (proportion of global cases) from the WHO regions (excluding Africa) are as follows: Eastern Mediterranean Region 18,212,887 (4%), European Region 193,660,994 (41%), Region of the Americas 149,760,111 (32%), South-East Asia Region 56,769,938 (12%) and Western Pacific Region 38,987,615 (8%). In the last seven days, the five countries reporting the highest number of new cases are Republic of Korea (2,716,603), Vietnam (1,845,400), Germany (1,538,602), France (603,150) and Australia (528,816). 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 2022, a total of 11,301,084 COVID-19 cases and 250,646 deaths (CFR: 2.2%) have been reported by the 55 African Union (AU) Member States (MS). This represents 2.4% of all cases and 4.1% of all deaths reported globally. Thirty-five (64%) 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 have experienced three COVID-19 waves, 47 (72%) countries have experienced four waves and nine countries have experienced five waves. One country (Mauritius) is currently experiencing a sixth wave. Figure 1 shows the trend of new COVID-19 cases reported per day by the AU region from 15 February 2020 to 21 March 2022. Despite a test positivity rate of 11.1%, the daily reported number of new cases across the continent is on a downward trend. In the past week, more than 572 thousand new tests were conducted, which is a 32% decrease in the number of tests conducted in week 11 compared to the previous week. More information on the COVID-19 situation in Africa is available on the Africa CDC daily dashboard and hotspot dashboard.