COVID-19 Weekly Epidemiological Update

Edition 156 published 17 August 2023

In this edition:
• Global overview
• Hospitalizations and ICU admissions
• SARS-CoV-2 variants of interest and variants under monitoring
• WHO regional overviews

Global overview
Data as of 13 August 2023
In the last 28-day period (17 July to 13 August 2023), over 1.4 million new COVID-19 cases and over 2300 deaths
were reported from WHO’s six regionsi, an increase of 63% and a decrease of 56%, respectively, compared to
the previous 28 days (Figure 1, Table 1). As of 13 August 2023, over 769 million confirmed cases and over 6.9
million deaths have been reported globally. While four WHO regions have reported decreases in the number of
both cases and deaths, the Western Pacific Region has reported an increase in cases and a decrease in deaths.

Even before the discontinuation of the Public Health Emergency of International Concern for COVID-19, and in
the context of ongoing integration of COVID-19 data with other respiratory disease data, many countries are
shifting away from COVID-19-specific reporting towards integrated respiratory disease surveillance. In the
context of high variability in the timeliness of COVID-19 reports produced by Member States in the Americas, as
of August 2023 PAHO/WHO has paused its specific COVID-19 Epidemiological Update. Subsequent COVID-19
surveillance will continue through the Influenza ad Other Respiratory Viruses bulletin and dashboards available
here: https://www.paho.org/en/topics/influenza-and-other-respiratory-viruses.

In this WEU edition, we have included all available data from the Region of the Americas since the start of the
pandemic up to 6 August 2023 in the global figures. However, 28-day comparisons for this Region and its
Member States are not presented as the data for the reporting period was incomplete.

As countries discontinue COVID-19-specific reporting and integrate respiratory disease surveillance, WHO will
continue to use all available sources to continue monitoring the COVID-19 epidemiological situation. COVID-19
continues to be a major threat and WHO urges Member States to maintain, not dismantle, their established
COVID-19 infrastructure. It is crucial to sustain early warning, surveillance and reporting, variant tracking, early
clinical care provision, administration of vaccine boosters to high-risk groups, improvements in ventilation, and
regular communication.

Currently, reported cases do not accurately represent infection rates due to the reduction in testing and
reporting globally. During this 28-day period, 44% (104 of 234) of countries reported at least one case to WHO
– a proportion that has been declining since mid-2022. It is important to note that this statistic does not reflect
the actual number of countries where cases exist. Additionally, data from previous weeks are continuously being
updated to incorporate retrospective changes in reported COVID-19 cases and deaths made by countries. Data
presented in this report are therefore incomplete and should be interpreted in light of these limitations. Some
countries continue to report high burdens of COVID-19, including increases in newly reported cases and, more

i
Note: The Regions of the Americas has not reported COVID-19 specific data since 6 August, which will impact the interpretation of the Global
overview.

1
importantly, increases in hospitalizations and deaths – the latter of which are considered more reliable
indicators given reductions in testing.

We present changes in epidemiological trends using a 28-day interval. Disaggregated data are still accessible on
the WHO COVID-19 dashboard, where the full dataset is available for download. Global and national data on
SARS-CoV-2 PCR percent positivity are available on WHO’s integrated dashboard provided by the Global
Influenza Programme. Recent data show that the SARS-CoV-2 PCR percent positivity rate from reporting
countries averages approximately 8%.

Figure 1. COVID-19 cases reported by WHO Region, and global deaths by 28-day intervals, as of 13 August 2023 (A);
30 January to 13 August 2023 (B)**§

A
100 000 000 Americas 450 000
90 000 000 South-East Asia 400 000
80 000 000 Europe 350 000
70 000 000 Eastern Mediterranean
Africa 300 000
60 000 000
Western Pacific 250 000
50 000 000
Deaths 200 000

Deaths
Cases

40 000 000
30 000 000 150 000
20 000 000 100 000
10 000 000 50 000
0 0
2 Mar

1 Mar
9 Dec

22 Jun
3 Feb

20 Jul

12 Oct

7 Dec
27 Apr

1 Feb

11 Oct

6 Dec
26 Apr

21 Jun
19 Jul

25 Apr

20 Jun
18 Jul

10 Oct

5 Dec

24 Apr

19 Jun
17 Jul
17 Aug

16 Aug

15 Aug

27 Mar
30 Mar

25 May

9 Nov

29 Mar

8 Nov

31 Jan

28 Mar

7 Nov

30 Jan
14 Sep

24 May

13 Sep

28 Feb

23 May

12 Sep

27 Feb

22 May
6 Jan

4 Jan

3 Jan

2 Jan
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2023
Reported 4 weeks commencing

B
6 000 000 45 000
Americas
South-East Asia 40 000
5 000 000
Europe 35 000
4 000 000 Eastern Mediterranean 30 000
Africa 25 000
3 000 000 Western Pacific 20 000

Deaths
Cases

Deaths
2 000 000 15 000
10 000
1 000 000
5 000
0 0
27 Mar

22 May
30 Jan

19 Jun

17 Jul
24 Apr
27 Feb

2023

Reported 4 weeks commencing

**See Annex 1: Data, table, and figure note

§
The data from the Region of the Americas are until 6 August 2023.

At the regional level, the number of newly reported cases within a 28-day period has decreased across four of
the five WHO regions: the African Region (-80%), the South-East Asia Region (-51%), the European Region
(-18%), and the Eastern Mediterranean Region (-16%); while case numbers increased in the Western Pacific
Region (+97%). The number of newly reported deaths within a 28-day period has decreased across five reporting
regions: the African Region (-78%), the South-East Asia Region (-62%), the European Region (-57%), the Western
Pacific Region (-46%), and the Eastern Mediterranean Region (-15%).

2
At the country level, the highest numbers of new cases reported within the 28-day period were from the
Republic of Korea (1 209 194 new cases; +140%), Australia (30 402 new cases; -52%), Singapore (18 806 new
cases; -40%), Italy (18 419 new cases; +10%) and the United Kingdom (16 938 new cases; +60%). The highest
numbers of new 28-day deaths were reported from the Republic of Korea (340 new deaths; +91%), Australia
(201 new deaths; -77%), the Russian Federation (182 new deaths; -54%), the Philippines (162 new deaths;
+5300%) and Italy (159 new deaths; -28%).

Table 1. Newly reported and cumulative COVID-19 confirmed cases and deaths, by WHO Region, as of 13 August
2023**

Change in
New cases in Change in New deaths
Cumulative new deaths Cumulative
WHO Region last 28 days new cases in in last 28
cases (%) in last 28 deaths (%)
(%) last 28 days * days (%)
days *
1 289 940 206 288 782 863 416 001
Western Pacific 97% -46%
(91%) (27%) (36%) (6%)
80 436 275 849 815 741 2 246 573
Europe -18% -57%
(6%) (36%) (31%) (32%)
44 370 193 210 684 659 2 958 886
Americas§ NA¥ NA
(3%) (25%) (28%) (43%)
5 075 61 200 084 75 806 639
South-East Asia -51% -62%
(<1%) (8%) (3%) (12%)
Eastern 1 497 23 386 319 23 351 379
-16% -15%
Mediterranean (<1%) (3%) (1%) (5%)
1 220 9 546 776 5 175 420
Africa -80% -78%
(<1%) (1%) (<1%) (3%)
1 422 538 769 483 224 2 366 6 954 911
Global 63% -56%
(100%) (100%) (100%) (100%)
*Percent change in the number of newly confirmed cases/deaths in the past 28 days, compared to 28 days prior. Data from previous weeks are
updated continuously with adjustments received from countries.
§
The data from the Region of the Americas are until 6 August 2023 and should not be interpreted as a declining trend.
¥ NA represents not available

**See Annex 1: Data, table, and figure notes

The latest data and other updates on COVID-19, please see:

• WHO COVID-19 Dashboard
• WHO Monthly Operational Update and past editions of the Weekly Epidemiological Update on COVID-19
• WHO COVID-19 detailed surveillance data dashboard
• WHO COVID-19 policy briefs

3
Figure 2. Percentage change in confirmed COVID-19 cases over the last 28 days relative to the previous 28 days, as of 13 August 2023**§

**See Annex 1: Data, table, and figure notes

§
The data from the Region of the Americas are until 6 August 2023.

4
Figure 3. Percentage change in confirmed COVID-19 deaths over the last 28 days relative to the previous 28 days, as of 13 August 2023**§

**See Annex 1: Data, table, and figure notes

§
The data from the Region of the Americas are until 6 August 2023.

5
Hospitalizations and ICU admissions

At the global level, during the analysed 28-day period (10 July to 6 August 2023), 26 of 234 countries reported to
WHO a total of 43 193 new hospitalizations, and 23 of 234 countries reported to WHO a total of 654 new intensive
care unit (ICU) admissions (Figure 4). This represents a 3% and 55% decrease in hospitalizations and ICU admissions,
respectively, compared to the previous 28 days (12 June to 9 July 2023). Note that the absence of reported data from
other countries to the WHO does not imply that there are no COVID-19 related hospitalizations in those countries.
The presented hospitalization data are preliminary and might change as new data become available. Furthermore,
hospitalization data are subject to reporting delays. These data also likely include both hospitalizations with incidental
cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection and those due to COVID-19 disease.

Globally, during the past 28 days, of the 26 (11%) countries that reported data to WHO on new hospitalizations at
least once (Figure 5), the European Region had the highest proportion of countries reporting (15 countries; 25%),
followed by the South-East Asia Region (two countries; 20%), the Western Pacific Region (three countries; 9%), the
Region of the Americas (four countries; 7%), the Eastern Mediterranean Region (one country; 5%), and the African
Region (one country; 2%). The proportion of countries that consistentlyii reported new hospitalizations for the period
was 7% (17 countries) (Table 2).

Among the 17 out of 234 countries consistently reporting new hospitalizations to WHO, six (35%) countries registered
an increase of 20% or greater in hospitalizations during the past 28 days compared to the previous 28-day period:
Bangladesh (1615 vs 210; 669%), Kyrgyzstan (10 vs four; +150%), Greece (1322 vs 816; +62%), Malta (152 vs 105;
45%), the United States of America (32 322 vs 24 488; +32%) and Mexico (863 vs 679; +27%). The highest numbers
of new hospitalizations were reported from the United States of America (32 322 vs 24 488; +32 %), Malaysia (2881
vs 3833; -25%), and Bangladesh (1615 vs 210; +669%).

Globally, in the past 28 days, 23 (10%) countries reported data to WHO on new ICU admissions at least once (Figure
5). Among them, the European Region had the highest proportion of reporting countries (14 countries; 23%), followed
by the Western Pacific Region (five countries; 14%), the South-East Asia Region (one country; 10%), and the Region
of the Americas (three countries; 5%). The African Region and the Eastern Mediterranean Region did not report ICU
admission data during the period. The proportion of countries that consistently reported new ICU admissions for the
period was 5% (12 countries) (Table 2).

Among the 12 countries consistently reporting new ICU admissions to WHO, two (17%) countries showed an increase
of 20% or greater in new ICU admissions during the past 28 days compared to the previous 28-day period: Latvia (six
vs two; +200%) and Greece (26 vs 20; +30%). The highest numbers of new ICU admissions were reported from Brazil
(385 vs 714; -46%), Australia (94 vs 171; -45%), and Italy (57 vs 77; -26%).

ii
“Consistently” as used here refers to countries that submitted data for new hospitalizations and intensive care unit admissions for the
eight consecutive weeks (for the reporting and comparison period).

6
Table 2. New hospitalizations and ICU admissions in the last 28 days (with percent change) by WHO Region, 10
July to 6 August 2023 compared to 12 June to 9 July 2023

New hospitalizations from countries that New ICU admissions from countries that
reported consistently in the last two 28-day reported consistently in the last two 28-day
periods periods
Region Number of Number of Number of
Number of new Percent Percent
countries* countries* new ICU
hospitalizations change change
(percentage) (percentage) admissions
Africa 1/50 (2%) 10 -62% 0/50 (<1%) NA** NA
Americas 3/56 (5%) 34 287 26% 2/56 (4%) 397 -46%
Eastern Mediterranean 0/22 (<1%) NA NA 0/22 (<1%) NA NA
European 9/61 (15%) 3453 -16% 6/61 (10%) 111 -13%
South-East Asia 2/10 (20%) 1754 120% 1/10 (10%) 12 -74%
Western Pacific 2/35 (6%) 2911 -28% 4/35 (11%) 113 -50%
Global 17/234 (7%) 42 415 17% 13/234 (6%) 633 -44%
* To be able to compare two periods, only the countries reported consistently in both the last and previous 28 days periods are included in the table
** NA represents not available

Figure 4. COVID-19 cases, deaths, hospitalizations, and ICU admissions reported weekly to WHO, as of 6 August 2023

Note: Recent weeks are subject to reporting delays and data might not be complete, note to interpret the data with caution. Cases included in grey
bars in the graph are only from countries reporting hospitalizations or ICU admissions, respectively.
Source: WHO Detailed Surveillance Dashboard

7
Figure 5. Weekly proportion of countries reporting new hospitalizations and ICU admissions, epidemiological week
1 of 2020 to week 31 of 2023

Note: Recent weeks are subject to reporting delays and should not be interpreted as a declining trend.

8
SARS-CoV-2 variants of interest and variants under monitoring
Geographic spread and prevalence

Globally, from 17 July to 13 August 2023 (28 days), 9052 SARS-CoV-2 sequences were shared through GISAID.

WHO is currently tracking several SARS-CoV-2 variants, including:

• Three variants of interest (VOIs); XBB.1.5, XBB.1.16 and EG.5.
• Seven variants under monitoring (VUMs) and their descent lineages; BA.2.75, BA.2.86, CH.1.1, XBB, XBB.1.9.1,
XBB.1.9.2 and XBB.2.3.

On 17 August 2023, WHO designated a new SARS-CoV-2 variant, that has been assigned the scientific name (Pango-
lineage designation) BA.2.86 as a VUM due to the large number (>30) of spike gene mutations it carries. Currently,
there are only four known sequences of this variant reported from two countries in the European Region and one
country in the Region of the Americas with no known associated epidemiological connections. The potential impact
of the BA.2.86 mutations are presently unknown and undergoing careful assessment (Table 3). WHO continues to call
for better surveillance, sequencing and reporting of COVID-19 as this virus continues to circulate and evolve.

Globally, XBB.1.16 and EG.5 are the most prevalent VOIs reported since their emergence from 101 and 50 countries,
respectively. In epidemiological week 30 (24 to 30 July 2023), both XBB.1.16 and EG.5 accounted for 21.1% of sequences
with EG.5 comprising of a 2-fold increase in comparison to a prevalence of 10.2% in epidemiological week 26 (26 June to
2 July 2023) (Table 3). Additional information can be found in the Initial Risk Evaluation that was finalized on 9 August 2023.

XBB.1.5, reported from a total of 121 countries globally, continues to show a declining trend. XBB.1.5 accounted for 11.0%
of sequences in week 30 compared to 14.5% in week 26 (Table 3).

Table 3 shows the number of countries reporting the VOIs and VUMs and their prevalence from week 26 to week 30. During
the last five weeks, the VOI and the VUMs that have shown increasing trends are highlighted in orange, those that have
remained stable are highlighted in blue, while those with decreasing trends are highlighted in green.

Among the VUMs, XBB.1.9.2 showed a declining prevalence trend, going from 7.1% in week 26 to 5.2% in week 30; whilst
other VUMs have shown stable trends during the same reporting period (Table 3).

9
Table 3. Weekly prevalence (%) of SARS-CoV-2 VOIs and VUMs, week 26 to week 30 of 2023

Lineage Countries§ Sequences§ 2023-26 2023-27 2023-28 2023-29 2023-30

VOIs
XBB.1.5* 121 265 053 14.5 12.6 12.3 12.4 11.0
XBB.1.16* 101 46 752 22.1 23.1 22.6 24.0 21.1
EG.5* 50 7 988 10.2 12.6 15.5 17.7 21.1
VUMs
BA.2.75* 125 123 414 2.7 2.4 2.3 1.6 2.1
ⱡ
BA.2.86 3 4
CH.1.1* 96 42 886 0.5 0.6 0.5 0.7 0.5
XBB* 130 68 382 6.0 6.6 6.5 6.9 5.4
XBB.1.9.1* 102 55 183 15.3 13.5 12.5 11.6 14.7
XBB.1.9.2* 86 25 989 7.1 7.6 7.2 5.8 5.2
XBB.2.3* 70 9 437 4.3 4.6 4.7 5.1 4.7
Unassigned 94 152 253 6.0 4.8 4.0 3.1 2.8
Other+ 209 6 768 445 10.8 11.2 11.3 10.6 10.9
§ Number of countries and sequences are since the emergence of the variants
* Includes descendant lineages, except those individually specified elsewhere in the table. For example, XBB* does not include XBB.1.5, XBB.1.16,
EG.5, XBB.1.9.1, XBB.1.9.2, and XBB.2.3
+ ”Other” represents other circulating lineages excluding the VOI, VUMs, BA.1*, BA.2*, BA.3*, BA.4*, BA.5*. Due to delays in or retrospective
assignment of variants, caution should be taken when interpreting the prevalence of the “Other” category.
ⱡ
Prevalence for BA.2.86 cannot be calculated due to the very small numbers of sequences at this time.

Additional resources
• Tracking SARS-CoV-2 Variants
• WHO statement on updated tracking system on SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern and variants of interest
• WHO XBB.1.5 Updated Risk Assessment, 20 June 2023
• WHO XBB.1.16 Updated Risk Assessment, 5 June 2023
• WHO EG.5 Initial Risk Evaluation, 9 August 2023

10
WHO regional overviews
Data for 17 July to 13 August 2023 Eastern Mediterranean Region
African Region
The Eastern Mediterranean Region reported nearly 1500 new cases, a 16%
The African Region reported over 1200 new cases, an 80% decrease as decrease as compared to the previous 28-day period. No country has
compared to the previous 28-day period. Two (4%) of the 50 countries for reported increases in new cases of 20% or greater compared to the previous
which data are available reported increases in new cases of 20% or greater, 28-day period. The highest numbers of new cases were reported from
with the highest proportional increases observed in Ethiopia (45 vs 26 new Afghanistan (859 new cases; 2.2 new cases per 100 000; +4%), the Islamic
cases; +73%) and Togo (six vs four new cases; +50%). The highest numbers of Republic of Iran (510 new cases; <1 new case per 100 000; +14%), and
new cases were reported from Mauritius (433 new cases; 34.0 new cases per Morocco (96 new cases; <1 new case per 100 000; -29%).
100 000; -35%), Zambia (278 new cases; 1.5 new cases per 100 000; -91%),
and Burundi (142 new cases; 1.2 new cases per 100 000; -21%). The number of new 28-day deaths in the Region decreased by 15% as
compared to the previous 28-day period, with 23 new deaths reported. The
The number of new 28-day deaths in the Region decreased by 78% as new deaths were reported from the Islamic Republic of Iran (15 new deaths;
compared to the previous 28-day period, with five new deaths reported. The <1 new death per 100 000; +15%) and Afghanistan (eight new deaths; <1 new
new deaths were reported from Botswana (two new deaths; <1 new death death per 100 000; -20%).
per 100 000; +100%), Zimbabwe (two new deaths; <1 new death per 100 000;
-78%), and Zambia (one new death; <1 new death per 100 000; -87%). 60 000 Eastern Mediterranean Region 1 000
Cases 900
20 000 50 50 000
African Region Deaths 800
18 000 Cases 45
16 000 Deaths 40 40 000
700

14 000 35 600

Deaths
Cases
12 000 30 30 000 500
10 000 25
Deaths

400
Cases

8 000 20 20 000
300
6 000 15 200
10 000
4 000 10
100
2 000 5
0 0
0 0

17 Jul
30 Jan

24 Apr

19 Jun
27 Mar
27 Feb

22 May
17 Jul
24 Apr

19 Jun
30 Jan

27 Mar

22 May
27 Feb

2023
2023
Reported 4 weeks commencing
Reported 4 weeks commencing

Updates from the Eastern Mediterranean Region

Updates from the African Region

11
European Region South-East Asia Region
The European Region reported over 80 000 new cases, a 18% decrease as The South-East Asia Region reported over 5000 new cases, a 51% decrease as
compared to the previous 28-day period. Twelve (19%) of the 61 countries compared to the previous 28-day period. Two (20%) of the 10 countries for
for which data are available reported increases in new cases of 20% or which data are available reported increases in new cases of 20% or greater,
greater, with the highest proportional increases observed in Iceland (88 vs 29 with the highest proportional increases observed in Nepal (32 vs 12 new
new cases; +203%), Georgia (4039 vs 1701 new cases; +137%), and San cases; +166%), and the Maldives (seven vs four new cases; 1.3 new cases per
Marino (43 vs 20 new cases; +115%). The highest numbers of new cases were 100 000; +75%). The highest numbers of new cases were reported from
reported from Italy (18 419 new cases; 30.9 new cases per 100 000; +10%), Thailand (1533 new cases; 2.2 new cases per 100 000; -64%), Bangladesh
the United Kingdom (16 938 new cases; 25.0 new cases per 100 000; +60%), (1420 new cases; <1 new case per 100 000; -32%), and India (1396 new cases;
and the Russian Federation (12 488 new cases; 8.6 new cases per 100 000; <1 new case per 100 000; similar to the previous period).
-40%).
The number of new 28-day deaths in the Region decreased by 62% as
compared to the previous 28-day period, with 75 new deaths reported. The
The number of new 28-day deaths in the Region decreased by 57% as
highest numbers of new deaths were reported from Thailand (34 new deaths;
compared to the previous 28-day period, with 741 new deaths reported. The
<1 new death per 100 000; -71%), Indonesia (21 new deaths; <1 new death
highest numbers of new deaths were reported from the Russian Federation
per 100 000; -59%), and Bangladesh (12 new deaths; <1 new death per
(182 new deaths; <1 new death per 100 000; -55%), Italy (159 new deaths; <1
100 000; +71%).
new death per 100 000; -28%), and Portugal (112 new deaths; 1.1 new death
per 100 000; +7%). 250 000 1 400
South-East Asia Region Cases
1 600 000 European Region 12 000 Deaths 1 200
Cases 200 000
1 400 000
Deaths 10 000 1 000
1 200 000
8 000 150 000
1 000 000 800

Deaths
Cases
800 000 6 000
Deaths
Cases

600
100 000
600 000
4 000
400
400 000
2 000 50 000
200 000 200
0 0
0 0
17 Jul
30 Jan

24 Apr

19 Jun
27 Mar

22 May
27 Feb

17 Jul
30 Jan

24 Apr

19 Jun
27 Mar
27 Feb

22 May
2023
Reported 4 weeks commencing 2023
Reported 4 weeks commencing
Updates from the European Region
Updates from the South-East Asia Region

12
Western Pacific Region
The Western Pacific Region reported over 1.2 million new cases, a 97%
increase as compared to the previous 28-day period. Five (14%) of the 35
countries for which data are available reported increases in new cases of 20%
or greater, with the highest proportional increases observed in the Federated
States of Micronesia (64 vs seven new cases; +814%), Niue (seven vs two new
cases; +250%) and the Republic of Korea (1 209 194 vs 501 931 new cases;
+140%). The highest numbers of new cases were reported from the Republic
of Korea (1 209 194 new cases; 2358.5 new cases per 100 000; +140%),
Australia (30 402 new cases; 119.2 new cases per 100 000; -52%), and
Singapore (18 806 new cases; 321.5 new cases per 100 000; -40%).

The number of new 28-day deaths in the Region decreased by 46% as

compared to the previous 28-day period, with 863 new deaths reported. The
highest numbers of new deaths were reported from the Republic of Korea
(340 new deaths; <1 new death per 100 000; +91%), Australia (201 new
deaths; <1 new death per 100 000; -78%), and the Philippines (162 new
deaths; <1 new death per 100 000; +5300%).

2 000 000 Western Pacific Region 14 000

Cases
1 800 000
Deaths 12 000
1 600 000
1 400 000 10 000
1 200 000 8 000
1 000 000
Deaths
Cases

800 000 6 000

600 000 4 000
400 000
2 000
200 000
0 0
17 Jul
30 Jan

24 Apr

19 Jun
27 Mar

22 May
27 Feb

2023
Reported 4 weeks commencing

Updates from the Western Pacific Region

13
Annex 1. Data, table, and figure notes

Data presented are based on official laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths reported to WHO by
country/territories/areas, largely based upon WHO case definitions and surveillance guidance. While steps are taken to
ensure accuracy and reliability, all data are subject to continuous verification and change, and caution must be taken when
interpreting these data as several factors influence the counts presented, with variable underestimation of true case and
death incidences, and variable delays to reflecting these data at the global level. Case detection, inclusion criteria, testing
strategies, reporting practices, and data cut-off and lag times differ between countries/territories/areas. A small number
of countries/ territories/areas report combined probable and laboratory-confirmed cases. Differences are to be expected
between information products published by WHO, national public health authorities, and other sources.
A record of historic data adjustment made is available upon request by emailing [email protected]. Please specify
the countries of interest, time period, and purpose of the request/intended usage. Prior situation reports will not be
edited; see covid19.who.int for the most up-to-date data. COVID-19 confirmed cases and deaths reported in the last
seven days by countries, territories, and areas, and WHO Region (reported in previous issues) are now available at:
https://covid19.who.int/table.
‘Countries’ may refer to countries, territories, areas or other jurisdictions of similar status. The designations employed,
and the presentation of these materials do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of WHO
concerning the legal status of any country, territory, or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its
frontiers or boundaries. Dotted and dashed lines on maps represent approximate border lines for which there may not
yet be full agreement. Countries, territories, and areas are arranged under the administering WHO region. The mention
of specific companies or of certain manufacturers’ products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by
WHO in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned. Errors and omissions excepted, the names of
proprietary products are distinguished by initial capital letters.

Updates on the COVID-19 outbreak in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea are not included in this report as the
number of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases is not reported.

14
Annex 2. SARS-CoV-2 variants assessment and classification

WHO, in collaboration with national authorities, institutions and researchers, routinely assesses if variants of SARS-
CoV-2 alter transmission or disease characteristics, or impact the effectiveness of vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics
or public health and social measures (PHSM) applied to control disease spread. Potential variants of concern (VOCs),
variants of interest (VOIs) or variants under monitoring (VUMs) are regularly assessed based on the risk posed to
global public health.

The classifications of variants will be revised as needed to reflect the continuous evolution of circulating variants and
their changing epidemiology. Criteria for variant classification, and the lists of currently circulating and previously
circulating VOCs, VOIs and VUMs, are available on the WHO Tracking SARS-CoV-2 variants webpage. National
authorities may choose to designate other variants and are strongly encouraged to investigate and report newly
emerging variants and their impact.

WHO continues to monitor all SARS-CoV-2 variants and to track changes in prevalence and viral characteristics. The
current trends describing the circulation of variants should be interpreted with due consideration of the limitations
of the COVID-19 surveillance systems. These include differences in sequencing capacity and sampling strategies
between countries, changes in sampling strategies over time, reductions in tests conducted and sequences shared
by countries, and delays in uploading sequence data to GISAID.1

References

1. Chen Z, Azman AS, Chen X, et al. Global landscape of SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance and data sharing.
Nature genetics. 2022;54(4). doi:10.1038/s41588-022-01033-y

15