(Paris) The novel coronavirus pandemic has killed at least 5,270,700 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 7 a.m.
More than 266,541,050 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 Tuesday, 8,780 new deaths and 697,766 new cases were recorded worldwide.
The countries that have recorded the most new deaths in their latest reports are the United States with 1,735 new deaths, Russia (1,179) and Poland (591).
The United States is the most affected country in terms of both deaths and cases, with 791,514 deaths for 49,389,503 cases, according to the Johns Hopkins University count.
After the United States, the most affected countries are Brazil with 616,018 deaths and 22,157,726 cases, India with 473,952 deaths (34,656,822 cases), Mexico with 295,601 deaths (3,905,319 cases) , and Russia with 284,823 deaths (9,895,597 cases).
Among the hardest hit countries, Peru is the one with the highest number of deaths relative to its population, with 611 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, followed by Bulgaria (418), Bosnia (391), Montenegro (372), Hungary (371), North Macedonia (368) and the Czech Republic (318).
Europe totaled at 6 a.m. on Wednesday 1,553,792 deaths for 87,398,754 cases, Latin America and the Caribbean 1,545,316 deaths (46,847,806 cases), Asia 906,999 deaths (57,551,212 cases), United States and Canada 821,332 deaths (51,204,007 cases), Africa 224,085 deaths (8,809,001 cases), the Middle East 215,790 deaths (14,407,594 cases), and Oceania 3,386 deaths ( 322,680 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.
No forced vaccination, insists the UN
The vaccination obligation must always respect human rights and forced vaccination is never acceptable, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights warned on Wednesday.
“Under no circumstances should people be forcibly vaccinated, even though a person’s refusal to comply with a vaccination obligation may have legal consequences such as for example an appropriate fine,” said Michelle Bachelet in a video message. .
“No reason to doubt” current vaccines against Omicron (WHO)
“There is no reason to doubt” that the current vaccines protect patients infected with Omicron against severe forms of COVID-19, the WHO emergency manager said on Tuesday in an interview with the ‘AFP.
“We have some very effective vaccines that have been shown to be potent against all of the variants so far, in terms of disease severity and hospitalization, and there is no reason to believe that would not be the case.” with Omicron, explained Dr. Michel Ryan.
Brazil: no health passport for foreigners
Brazil ruled out on Tuesday from requiring a COVID-19 vaccination certificate for foreigners arriving on its soil, after President Jair Bolsonaro compared the measure recommended by the health regulator to a “leash” for animals.
Controversy in Britain over Christmas 2020 in Downing Street
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was under fire on Wednesday after a video appeared where his top advisers joked about hosting a Christmas party in Downing Street in 2020 when gatherings were banned due to the COVID-19.
“This imaginary party was a business meeting without social distances”, loose a counselor in this video between other mocking exchanges evoking “cheese and wine”.
Downing Street responded by insisting that there had been “no Christmas party. The rules against COVID-19 have always been respected ”.
Boris Johnson has apologized “wholeheartedly” to Parliament.
Norway toughens measures
Norway will strengthen from midnight Thursday and for four weeks health measures to fight an outbreak of COVID-19 cases, with in particular a limited number of people for home events, including Christmas celebrations, and the wearing a mask is compulsory if a social distance of one meter cannot be guaranteed.
France: State aid to sectors with slowed down activity
French President Emmanuel Macron assured Wednesday that “the mechanisms of partial activity” would be “extended” for companies whose operation is slowed down by new measures against COVID-19.
Mr. Macron promised an announcement “in the coming days”, citing “the event management professions, the catering trade in salons, caterers” or “nightclubs”.
It will be forbidden to dance in bars and restaurants in France from Friday until January 6 inclusive, a period during which nightclubs will have to close their doors, according to a decree published on Wednesday.
More than 5.2 million dead
The pandemic has killed at least 5,270,700 worldwide since the end of 2019, according to a report established by AFP from official sources on Wednesday at 6 a.m.
The United States is the most bereaved country with 791,514 dead, ahead of Brazil (616,018), India (473,952), Mexico (295,601) and Russia (284,823).
The WHO estimates, taking into account the excess mortality directly and indirectly linked to COVID-19, that the toll of the pandemic in the world could be two to three times higher.