WHO reports decline in new COVID-19 cases, deaths globally

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a decline in new COVID-19 cases and deaths globally, according to its latest epidemiological update released on Wednesday.

The WHO said nearly 5.3 million new infections and more than 48,000 deaths were reported from January 23 to February 19, a decrease of 89% and 62% respectively, compared to the past 28 days.

Meanwhile, over 757 million confirmed cases and over 6.8 million deaths have been reported globally as of February 19, the international organization said.

At the regional level, the WHO said the number of newly reported 28-day cases went down across all WHO regions: the Western Pacific Region with 94% decrease, the South-East Asia Region with 51%, the Region of the Americas with 43%, the African Region with 34%, the European Region with 33%, and the Eastern Mediterranean Region with 26%.

The number of newly reported 28-day deaths, on the other hand, also decreased across five regions: the Western Pacific Region with 77% decrease, the South-East Asia Region with 62%, the African Region with 52%, the European Region with 50%, and the Region of the Americas with 14%.

However, the WHO said the reported deaths increased in the Eastern Mediterranean Region with 18% increase.

The WHO earlier said it hoped that COVID-19 would no longer be a public health emergency in 2023.

‘Plateauing’

In the Philippines, the Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday said the COVID-19 cases in the country are “plateauing” with at least 832 new infections recorded from February 16 to 22.

The Philippines’ bed and ICU utilization rate also remained at low risk, according to the DOH.

“Our total beds and ICU utilization, at 17% and 12%, respectively, remain at low risk. In addition, our severe/critical admissions are also plateauing, which currently comprise 8.89% or 389 of our total COVID-19 admissions as of February 21,” the DOH said in a statement.

Based on the latest data from the DOH, the nationwide caseload is currently at 4,075,757.

The recovery tally climbed to 4,000,503, while the death toll also reached 66,051 with 12 new fatalities. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News