WHO Reports 775 Million Confirmed COVID-19 Cases and Rising Death Toll
As of July 21, 2024, the World Health Organisation (WHO) reported over 775 million confirmed COVID-19 cases and more than seven million deaths worldwide since the pandemic began.
The WHO noted a significant increase in new cases and deaths over a recent 28-day period (June 24 to July 21, 2024). New cases rose by 30%, while deaths increased by 26% compared to the previous 28-day period.
During this time frame, over 186,000 new cases were reported across 96 countries, and more than 2,800 new fatalities were reported across 35 countries.
Data from 46 countries on COVID-19 hospitalisations and 35 countries on ICU admissions revealed more than 23,000 new hospitalisations and over 600 new ICU admissions. This period saw an 11% increase in new hospitalisations and a 3% increase in new ICU admissions compared to previous reporting periods.
The WHO emphasized the importance of consistent data reporting for accurate monitoring and response to the pandemic.