The number of new cases of Covid surged 30% in four weeks and the number of deaths surged 26% month on month, according to a new report from the World Health Organisation. The WHO has issued an update on the rising number of global Covid cases amid fears of a new wave sparked by emerging variants.
Globally, the JN.1 is now the most reported variant, now found in 135 countries, accounting for 25.7% of samples tested. KP.3.1.1 and LB.1 have shown an increasing prevalence globally. WHO says that in the latest four weeks covered by the report, there were more than 186,000 new Covid cases reported across 96 countries and more than 2,800 new fatalities reported across 35 countries.
As of July 21, 2024, over 775 million confirmed cases and more than seven million deaths have been reported globally since the beginning of pandemic.
From the latest data, more than 23,000 new hospitalizations and more than 600 new ICU admissions were reported. That was an overall increase of 11% and 3% in new hospitalizations and new ICU admissions.
According to the UK Health Security Agency, there were 2,957 new cases of Covid detected in England in the latest week reported, along with 174 more deaths and 2,695 more people admitted to hospital with Covid.
Uptake of the latest Covid booster vaccine was just 62.3%. Professor Wei Shen Lim, Chair of JCVI’s COVID-19 immunisation group, said: “The COVID-19 autumn programme will continue to focus on those at greatest risk of getting seriously ill. These people will benefit the most from a further vaccine dose.”
“It is important that everyone who is eligible takes up the offer before we head into winter. The vaccines offered provide good protection against developing severe disease, such as being hospitalised with COVID-19.”
Dr Mary Ramsay, Director of Public Health Programmes at the UK Health Security Agency, said: “Our on-going surveillance shows that COVID-19 continues to cause severe illness, putting many in hospital, particularly older people and those with underlying medical conditions. But it also shows that the autumn vaccines are effective in helping to give added protection to those most at risk almost halving the likelihood of hospitalisation from the virus for a few months following vaccination and over the winter period.”
“I urge everyone who is eligible to take up the offer of a vaccine as soon as possible once invited it will help improve your immunity to COVID-19, which does wane over time.”
UKHSA surveillance data on last autumn’s programme showed that those who received a vaccine were around 45% less likely to be admitted to hospital with COVID-19 from two weeks following vaccination with protection lasting for around 4 months, compared to those who did not receive one.
NHS England will confirm details on how and when eligible people can access the autumn vaccine in the coming weeks.