The number of new COVID-19 cases worldwide increased by 20% last week to over 18 million, with a slowing in the surge of the Omicron variant, reported the World Health Organization.

In its weekly report, the global health agency said the number of new COVID-19 cases increased in every region except Africa, where cases were reported to have fallen by about one-third. The fatalities globally were reported to be similar to the previous week, at about 45,000.

Southeast Asia recorded the biggest surge in COVID-19 infections last week, with the number of newly infected individuals increasing by 145%. The smallest surges were reported from the Americas and Europe, at 17% and 10%, respectively… (ET Healthworld – AP, January 20, 2022)