Update on the ongoing Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Global Epidemic, Brief #115

Outbreak Update:  As of 28 March 2022, a total of 479,994,739 COVID-19 cases and 6,123,749 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 (percentage of global cases) from the WHO regions (excluding Africa) are as follows: Eastern Mediterranean Region 18,246,216 (4%), European Region 199,160,734 (41%), Region of the Americas 150,351,422 (31%), South-East Asia Region 57,003,334 (12%) and Western Pacific Region 43,545,056 (9%). In the last seven days, the five countries reporting the highest number of new cases are Republic of Korea (2,420,494), Germany (1,551,448), Vietnam (1,053,425), France (874065) and Italy (502,980). 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) 28 March 2022, a total of 11,323,949 COVID-19 cases and 250,948 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) experienced a sixth wave. Figure 1 shows the number of new COVID-19 cases reported by the AU region from 15 February 2020 to 28 March 2022. Despite a test positivity rate of 11%, the daily reported number of new cases across the continent is on a downward trend. More than 720,000 tests were conducted during the past week, reflecting a 14% increase in the number of tests 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.

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