The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that from June 5 to July 2, as compared to the prior 28 days, the region of Southeast Asia saw a 69% decrease in new COVID-19 cases. Among the 10 countries with available data, Thailand reported the highest number of new case. It is followed by Bangladesh.
During the same 28-day period in Southeast Asia, Thailand, Indonesia, and India reported the highest numbers of covid deaths. It witnessed a 55% decrease. The WHO highlighted its tracking of two variants of interest (VOIs). They are namely XBB.1.5 and XBB.1.16, as well as six variants under monitoring (VUMs) – BA.2.75, CH.1.1, XBB, XBB.1.9.1, XBB.1.9.2, and XBB.2.3 – alongside their descendant lineages. As of July 2, the global count of confirmed COVID-19 cases has surpassed 767 million. The number of deaths exceeding 6.9 million.
During the same period ,there was a 46% decrease in hospitalizations. 59% decrease in ICU admissions worldwide.Comparing this to the previous 28 days (May 1 through May 28). The WHO acknowledged that hospitalisations for unrelated cases are probably included in the data.This covers both patients who test positive for COVID-19 after being admitted for a different reason as well as hospitalisations that are specifically related to COVID-19 disease. The European region took the lead in providing data on new hospitalizations. The Eastern Mediterranean region and the Region of the Americas follow the region of Southeast Asia.
The challenges
The WHO also highlighted the challenges arising from declining testing and sequencing trends globally. These trends result in low and unrepresentative levels of SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance, which hinders the comprehensive assessment of the SARS-CoV-2 variant landscape.
In India, the Union Health Ministry data revealed 45 new coronavirus infections, while active cases increased slightly to 1,455. The death toll rose to 5,31,912, with one death each reported from Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. The country’s COVID-19 case tally stood at 4.49 crore, with a national COVID-19 recovery rate of 98.81%. A total of 4,44,61,127 individuals have recovered from the disease, and health authorities have recorded a case fatality rate of 1.18%.
According to the Ministry’s website, the country has administered 220.66 crore doses of COVID-19 vaccines under the nationwide vaccination drive.