COVID-19: news in brief globally

“With just under 4.4 million new cases reported this week, 23-29 August, the number of new cases reported globally remains similar to the previous week after increasing for nearly two months, since mid-June,” said the World Health Organization in its August 31 epidemiological update.  

While cases were either declining or remaining the same in other regions, the Western Pacific region had a 7 percent increase compared to the previous week. 

“The number of deaths reported globally this week were also similar to last week, with just over 67 000 new deaths reported,” said the report. 

New cases were rising the highest in the United States (938,014 new cases), India (270,796 new cases), Iran (254,753 new cases), the United Kingdom (237,556 new cases), and Brazil (175,807 new cases).

“Estimates show the Delta variant causing more than 99% of recent COVID-19 cases in the United States,” said U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. 

India, which saw a massive surge in cases after the Delta variant was first identified in the country back in October 2020, reported nearly 33 million cases. The situation has been steadily improving in India, while movement restrictions remain in some regions. 

The United Kingdom reported close to 7 million positive COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began. The country has been steadily easing the restrictions, reopening schools, dining areas, bars, and removing limits on guests at concerts, sporting events, weddings and funerals. 

From September 6, South Korea extends social distancing measures in an effort to curb potential COVID-19 outbreaks across South Korea, reports Kazakhstan’s coronavirus2020.kz.