Story at a glance
- The World Health Organization on Wednesday reported that global COVID-19 deaths are at their lowest point in nearly a year.
- The largest drop-off in new cases was reported in the African region followed by the Western Pacific Region.
- The African region also showed the sharpest decline in COVID-19 related deaths, which fell by 34 percent.
The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday reported that global COVID-19 deaths are at their lowest point in nearly a year.
Yet WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the number — around 46,000 — was at an “unacceptably high level,” adding that deaths declined in every region except for Europe the week ending Oct. 10.
Global cases declined 7 percent with 2.8 million new cases reported. The largest drop in new cases was reported in the African region followed by the Western Pacific Region. The African region also showed the sharpest decline in COVID-19 related deaths, which fell by 34 percent from the previous week.
Tedros also reiterated his concern over vaccine equity, touching on his belief that countries offering booster shots to their citizens are preventing others across the globe from receiving their shots.
“As you know, 56 countries who were effectively excluded from the global vaccine marketplace were not able to reach the target of vaccinating 10% of their populations by the end of September — and most of them in Africa,” Tedros said.
Our country is in a historic fight against the coronavirus. Add Changing America to your Facebook or Twitter feed to stay on top of the news.
Vaccine data shows that nearly 48 percent of the world’s population has received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine with more than 6.5 billion doses administered. But there continues to be a chasm between wealthy nations and lower and middle income countries. Approximately 2.5 percent of the latter group have received at least one shot.
READ MORE STORIES FROM CHANGING AMERICA
45 STATES ARE DOING BETTER WITH COVID-19, BUT THESE 5 ARE SURGING
DOG THE BOUNTY HUNTER LEAVES SEARCH FOR BRIAN LAUNDRIE
NFL KICKER CELEBRATES GAME-WINNING FIELD GOAL HE ACTUALLY MISSED
WHY ELON MUSK IS MOVING TESLA FROM CALIFORNIA TO TEXAS
SEN LINDSEY GRAHAM BOOED AND SHOUTED DOWN FOR TELLING CROWD TO CONSIDER GETTING VACCINATED
changing america copyright.
