The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) warned Wednesday about the emerging number of COVID-19 cases through the highly infectious subvariants BA. 4 and BA. 5 Omicron of the coronavirus, even as the total number of cases has declined in the Americas.
There were 1,562,967 new cases of COVID-19 in the Americas last week, a drop of 0. 9%, PAHO said at a press conference, while deaths fell 3. 5% to 4,789.
But PAHO Director Dr. Carissa Etienne warned that Omicron subvariants, now dominant in the United States and several countries, are “causing new infections in the Americas. “
“The emergence of BA. 4 and BA. 5 is a further reminder that the virus continues to evolve every time it is transmitted and that we will have to remain vigilant,” Etienne said.
He suggested countries in the Americas reintroduce public fitness measures, such as mask wearing and social distancing when cases increase.
“This virus knows no borders, especially now that it has resumed abroad. We will have to use all the equipment at our disposal to protect ourselves, especially those of us who are most vulnerable to serious illness and death.
Compared to last week, COVID-19 increased by 2% in South America and 55% in Central America. Cases decreased by 5. 2% in the Caribbean and by 4. 5% in North America.
COVID-19-related deaths increased by 14. 2% in South America, while they decreased in the remaining 3 subregions of the Americas, PAHO said.
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