(Paris) The novel coronavirus pandemic has killed at least 5,020,845 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 Thursday at 7 a.m.
More than 248,038,900 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 serious or asymptomatic cases also remain undetected despite the intensification of screening in many countries.
On Wednesday, 8,287 new deaths and 487,396 new cases were recorded worldwide.
The countries that have recorded the most new deaths in their latest reports are the United States with 2,183 new deaths, Russia (1,195) and Ukraine (699).
The United States is the most affected country in terms of both deaths and cases, with 750,431 deaths for 46,253,681 cases, according to the Johns Hopkins University count.
After the United States, the most affected countries are Brazil with 608,235 deaths and 21,835,785 cases, India with 459,652 deaths (34,321,025 cases), Mexico with 288,887 deaths (3,814,453 cases) , and Russia with 243,255 dead (8,673,860 cases).
Among the hardest hit countries, Peru is the one with the highest number of deaths relative to its population, with 608 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, followed by Bosnia (356), Bulgaria (352), Macedonia North (345), Montenegro (337) and Hungary (321).
Latin America and the Caribbean totaled Thursday at 7 a.m. EDT 1,522,712 deaths for 45,993,436 cases, Europe 1,412,899 deaths (75,314,180 cases), Asia 874,772 deaths (55,994,537 cases), the United States and Canada 779,472 deaths (47,973,324 cases), Africa 218,760 deaths (8,515,482 cases), the Middle East 209,368 deaths (13,983,939 cases), and Oceania 2,862 deaths (264,008 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.
WHO is concerned about contamination in Europe
The World Health Organization was alarmed on Thursday at the “very worrying” rate of transmission of COVID-19 currently observed in Europe, which could lead to half a million additional deaths on the continent by February.
“We are, again, at the epicenter,” lamented WHO Europe director Hans Kluge during an online press conference.
For the WHO, the increase in cases is explained by the combination of insufficient vaccination coverage and the relaxation of anti-COVID-19 measures. According to data from WHO Europe, hospitalizations linked to COVID-19 “have more than doubled in one week”.
Record of daily infections in Germany
Germany recorded a record number of new COVID-19 infections on Thursday with 33,949 additional cases in 24 hours, according to the Robert Koch health watch institute.
The previous record was reached on December 18, 2020, with 33,777 new infections. In total, more than 4.6 million people have been infected since the start of the epidemic by the new coronavirus in Germany, hit by a fourth “massive” wave affecting mainly the unvaccinated, according to the government of Angela Merkel .
UK approves Merck’s anti-COVID-19 pill
The United Kingdom announced Thursday that it was the first country to authorize molnupiravir, a COVID-19 tablet treatment developed by the American laboratory Merck.
Molnupiravir has been cleared by the UK regulatory agency, MHRA, for use in people with mild to moderate COVID-19 and who have at least one risk factor for developing serious illness (obesity, over 60 years old, diabetes, heart disease). Given to patients within days of a positive test, the treatment halves the risk of hospitalization, according to a clinical trial conducted by Merck, also called MSD outside the United States.
The Eiffel Tower returns to good attendance
The Eiffel Tower, which reopened in July after nearly nine months of closure, had “a beautiful month of October” thanks to a “real return of tourism” in the French capital, regaining previous levels of attendance. COVID-19, according to its operating company.
But with 1.5 million visitors anticipated for 2021 against 6.2 million in 2019, this recovery “will not cover the losses accumulated” with the health crisis, according to the same source.
Over five million dead
The pandemic has killed at least 5,020,845 people around the world since the end of December 2019, according to an assessment established by AFP from official sources, Thursday in the middle of the day.
The United States is the most bereaved country with 750,431 dead, followed by Brazil (608,235), India (459,652), Mexico (288,887) and Russia (243,255).
These figures are based on the daily official balance sheets for 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.