The new variants of Covid 19 are now spreading across the globe like wildfire. Alpha Variant, Beta Variant, Gamma Variant and the latest Delta Variant have been reported and causing frightening case figures in all regions of the world except the Americas.
WHO epidemiological reports in the last two weeks show a steady increase of about 10% of cases across the globe. This trend is unexpected following a steady decline for nine consecutive weeks.
This week commencing July 12, The Eastern Mediterranean Region recorded the largest increase in incidence (25%) followed by European Region with a 20% increase as compared to the previous week. The African Region had the smallest percentage increase in incidence with a 5% increase. However, the region recorded a 50% increase in the number of deaths as compared to the previous week. The South-East Asia Region also recorded a significant increase in number of deaths, reporting a 26% increase as compared to the previous week. Only the Region of the Americas reported a 3% decline in incidence and an 11% decrease in number of deaths reported last week.
Over the past week, WHO says the highest numbers of new cases per 100 000 population were reported from British Virgin Islands (2497 new cases per 100 000 pop), Seychelles (763 new cases per 100 000 pop), Cyprus (673 new cases per 100 000 pop), Jersey (628 new cases per 100 000 pop), and Fiji (490 new cases per 100 000 pop).
Globally, cases of the Alpha variant have been reported in 178 countries including six new countries in the past week, while 123 countries with new three countries reported cases of the Beta variant; 75 countries with three new countries reported cases of the Gamma variant while 111 countries with 15 new countries reported cases of the Delta variant.
It is very worrisome that as we all are about to feel that the lights after the darkness of COVID 19 tunnel are emerging, the deadly virus is rearing its ugly head up again and this time with quick venom.
The global public health risks associated with COVID-19 remain very high. According to WHO latest figures, confirmed case per week has taken an upward turn to about 3 million, following a two-month steady decline at the global level. The new wave spread across most regions and in many countries.
Following a decline in the death rate since the peak registered at the end of April 2021, WHO figures also indicate a slight increase in deaths this week.
The contributing factors to this unfortunate reports according to WHO include the fact that several countries across all regions and countries report low vaccination levels while the virus mutations (emerging variants of interest and concern are characterized by increased transmissibly, with potential phenotypic impacts.
The Delta variant that has now been detected in at least 111 countries across all six WHO regions, including Africa, Nigeria inclusive, has shown higher transmissibility than other VOCs identified to date.. The emergence of more transmissible variants, coupled with the relaxation and inappropriate use of public health and social measures (PHSM) and increased social mobility and mixing, and low vaccination coverage in many countries, continue to contribute to rapid surges in incidence, hospitalizations and deaths in many countries.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control latest figure as at 13th July 2021 is as follows.
- 154 new confirmed cases
- Confirmed cases 168867.
- Discharged 164623
- Death 2125
The 154 new cases are reported from 9 states- Lagos (119), Akwa Ibom (11), Rivers (6), Oyo (5), Ekiti (4), Ogun (4), FCT (2), Gombe (2) and Kwara (1)
Continue to observe all COVID 19 protocols:
-Keep safe distance
-Use face mask
-Avoid crowded places
-Wash your hands with soap and water under running water
-Use hand sanitizer
Publisher’s Note:
- Leave your comments in the comments box below and share the post
- Send your health- related articles, stories, tips to [email protected] for free publication
Like and share our Facebook page: @citizencomfortng
We really need to take precautions. People are getting relaxed and nonchalant about COVID-19 meanwhile the virus is still as deadly as it was in the beginning, if not even deadlier.
Everyone should make sure they observe all protocols cause if you’re lucky enough not to be infected, what of the people around you?