Update on the ongoing Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Global Epidemic, Brief #113

Outbreak Update:  As of 14 March 2022, a total of 456,648,579 COVID-19 cases and 6,042,600 related deaths (case fatality ratio (CFR): 1.3%) have been reported globally by 227 countries and territories to the World Health Organization (WHO). The distribution of cumulative cases (proportion of global cases) from the WHO regions (excluding Africa) are as follows: Eastern Mediterranean Region 18,159,123 (4%), European Region 188,233,608 (41%), Region of the Americas 148,990,519 (33%), South-East Asia Region 56,505,772 (12%) and Western Pacific Region 33,129,269 (7%). In the last seven days, the five countries reporting the highest number of new cases are Republic of Korea (2,199,252), Vietnam (1,677,948), Germany (1,364,312), Netherland (460,732) and France (434,726). For more detailed information on cases and deaths reported outside of Africa, refer to the WHO COVID-19 dashboard.

As of 6 p.m. East African Time (EAT) 14 March 2022, a total of 11,283,362 COVID-19 cases and 250,393 deaths (CFR: 2.2%) have been reported by the 55 African Union (AU) Member States (MS). This represents 3% of all cases and 4.1% of all deaths reported globally. Thirty-four (62%) AU MS are reporting CFRs higher than the global CFR. Since the detection of COVID-19 on the African continent in February 2020, 53 (96%) AU MS have experienced three COVID-19 waves, 47 (72%) countries have experienced four waves and nine countries have experienced five waves.One country (Mauritius) is currently experiencing a sixth wave. Figure 1 shows the trend of new COVID-19 cases reported per day by the AU region from 15 February 2020 to 14 March 2022. Despite a test positivity rate of 11.2%, the daily reported number of new cases across the continent is on a downward trend. More information on the COVID-19 situation in Africa is available on the Africa CDC daily dashboard and hotspot dashboard.