The COVID-19 pandemic has been a global health crisis that has affected millions of people worldwide. While the number of cases may have decreased in some countries, it is important to remember that the virus is still a threat. Recent reports from the World Health Organisation (WHO) have highlighted that two deaths have occurred in India due to COVID infection between June and July. Additionally, India recorded 908 new COVID cases in the last two months, with a 30% increase in new cases and 26% of deaths reported worldwide during this period.
Indian states such as Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Rajasthan, and West Bengal are still experiencing a high positivity rate of over five per cent. Experts have identified KP1 and KP2 as driving COVID cases in the country, although there has been no increase in severity or hospitalisations so far.
Across the world, COVID positivity rates have been on the rise. During the four-week reporting period from 24 June to 21 July 2024, the positivity rate increased from 7.4% to 13.0% across eighty-five countries. The most reported variant of interest (VOI) is JN.1, now reported by 135 countries, accounting for 25.7% of sequences. Variants such as KP.3.1.1 and LB.1, which are descendant lineages of JN.1, have also shown an increase in prevalence.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, over 775 million confirmed cases and more than seven million deaths have been reported globally. Countries like South Korea are seeing an uptick in COVID cases, especially among children. In the US, 27 states are reporting very high levels of COVID activity, with wastewater data highlighting that at least 17 states are reporting high levels of wastewater activity.
It is crucial to stay informed about the current status of COVID-19 and to continue following safety guidelines to prevent the spread of the virus. The emergence of new variants and the increase in cases in certain regions serve as a reminder that the pandemic is far from over. By staying vigilant and taking necessary precautions, we can work together to overcome this global health crisis.
