(Paris) The novel coronavirus pandemic has killed at least 4,960,994 people worldwide since the WHO office in China reported the onset of the disease at the end of December 2019, according to a report established by the AFP from official sources Wednesday at 6 a.m.
More than 244,464,760 cases of infection have been officially diagnosed since the start of the epidemic. The vast majority of patients recover, but a still poorly evaluated part retains symptoms for weeks or even months.
The figures are based on reports communicated daily by the health authorities in each country. They exclude the revisions carried out a posteriori by certain statistical organizations, which conclude with a much higher number of deaths.
The WHO even estimates, taking into account the excess mortality directly and indirectly linked to COVID-19, that the toll of the pandemic could be two to three times higher than that officially recorded. A large proportion of the less severe or asymptomatic cases also remain undetected despite the intensification of screening in many countries.
On Tuesday, 8,023 new deaths and 465,674 new cases were recorded worldwide. The countries that have recorded the most new deaths in their latest reports are the United States with 1,415 new deaths, Russia (1,123) and Ukraine (692).
The United States is the most affected country in terms of both deaths and cases, with 738,883 deaths for 45,616,157 cases, according to the Johns Hopkins University count.
After the United States, the most affected countries are Brazil with 606,246 deaths and 21,748,984 cases, India with 455,653 deaths (34,215,653 cases), Mexico with 286,888 deaths (3,788,986 cases) , and Russia with 233,898 deaths (8,352,601 cases).
Among the hardest hit countries, Peru is the one with the highest number of deaths in relation to its population, with 607 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, followed by Bosnia (348), North Macedonia (339), Bulgaria (336), Montenegro (330) and Hungary (317).
Latin America and the Caribbean totaled Wednesday at 6 a.m. EDT 1,516,784 deaths for 45,786,808 cases, Europe 1,383,562 deaths (73,178,050 cases), Asia 865,732 deaths (55,595,483 cases), the United States and Canada 767,678 deaths (47,317,789 cases), Africa 217,319 deaths (8,479,499 cases), the Middle East 207,230 deaths (13,859,381 cases), and Oceania 2,689 deaths (247,755 cases).
This assessment was carried out using data collected by AFP offices from the competent national authorities and information from the World Health Organization (WHO). Due to corrections made by the authorities or late publication of the data, the 24 hour increase figures may not correspond exactly to those published the day before.
Update on the pandemic
New measures, new reports and highlights: an update on the latest developments in the COVID-19 pandemic around the world.
Australians re-allowed to travel
Australia will lift the ban on unauthorized travel abroad for fully vaccinated citizens, the government said on Wednesday, while the country’s borders are expected to be open to skilled workers and international students by the end of the year.
United States: Experts recommend Pfizer vaccine for 5-11 year olds
A committee of American experts has declared itself in favor of immunizing 5-11 year olds with the COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer-BioNTech, presaging a very imminent authorization of the remedy for some 28 million children in the USA.
Brazil: damning report approved for Bolsonaro
The parliamentary commission of inquiry (ICC) on the pandemic in Brazil approved late Tuesday the damning report of its six months of investigation, which recommends the indictment of President Jair Bolsonaro for nine crimes, including “crimes against humanity” .
After dozens of hearings, the ICC accused the government of having “deliberately exposed” Brazilians to “mass contamination”.
United Kingdom: mixed results for COVID-19 tracing
The disputed virus screening and tracing program in the UK has cost £ 37 billion, one of the largest sums ever spent on public health action in the country, with results seen as mixed, according to a report by the United Kingdom. Parliamentary Committee on Public Accounts published Wednesday.
The Commission considers that the “Test and Trace” program “has not achieved its main objective, namely to avoid another lockdown”, since it was launched in May 2020 and that two lockdowns have been put in place since the end. October 2020.
COVID-19, “challenge number 1” of the Beijing Olympics
Epidemic prevention will be “the number one challenge” of the Beijing Winter Olympics, organizers said on Wednesday, a hundred days before the start of the events in the Chinese capital.
The games to be held from February 4 to 20 will take place in a “bubble” intended to eliminate any risk of contamination to the rest of China.
The expected 2,900 athletes will either have to have been fully vaccinated or undergo a strict 21-day quarantine upon arrival in the country.
Only spectators already present in China will be able to attend the events.
No Australian Open for unvaccinated players
The state of Victoria, whose capital Melbourne will host the Australian Open in January, on Wednesday ruled out granting a special exemption to unvaccinated players to participate in the tournament, which could exclude the competition from the tournament. defending champion and world No.1 Novak Djokovic.
More than 4.96 million dead
The pandemic has killed at least 4,960,994 people around the world since the end of December 2019, according to an AFP report from official sources on Wednesday at 6 a.m. EDT.
The United States is the most bereaved country with 738,883 dead, followed by Brazil (606,246), India (455,653), Mexico (286,888) and Russia (233,898).
These figures are based on the daily official balance sheets of each country, excluding upward revisions made a posteriori by some statistical agencies. Taking into account the excess mortality directly and indirectly linked to COVID-19, the WHO estimates that the overall toll of the pandemic could be two to three times higher.