According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a decrease of 17% was seen in global COVID deaths last week, with a decreasing trend seen over the last three weeks across the globe, except for some countries due to the Omicron subvariant BA.2 spread.

More than 11 million new COVID-19 infections over the last week, accounting for an 8% increase, were reported in the health agency’s weekly report. The maximum number of fresh cases was reported in Western Pacific with a 29% rise and in Africa with a 12% rise. Europe reported a 2% increase.

WHO said that many countries were changing the COVID-19 testing strategies and were testing less than earlier figures, which might account for fewer cases being reported. Several countries have dropped widespread testing for COVID-19 owing to the huge investment requirements. But still, cases are on the rise slightly in Britain due to the spread of the omicron subvariant BA.2. Not following the precautionary COVID-19 protocols was also an additional factor for the rise in cases.(ET Healthworld - AP, March 17, 2022)