Weekly COVID-19 Reports Update

Weekly Epidemiological Update

23 November

Globally, the numbers of weekly COVID-19 cases and deaths have increased for more than a month. During the week of 15-21 November 2021, nearly 3.6 million confirmed new cases and over 51 000 deaths were reported, reflecting a 6% increase for cases and deaths as compared to the previous week.

The European Region reported an 11% increase in new weekly cases, while the other regions reported a decrease or incidence similar to the previous week. The largest proportionate decrease was reported from the South-East Asia Region (11%), followed by the Eastern Mediterranean Region (9%). While the Western Pacific Region and the Region of the Americas reported relatively stable case incidence, they both reported large increases in new weekly deaths, 29% and 19% respectively. In contrast, the African and the South-East Asia regions reported a 30% and 19% decrease in new weekly deaths.

The cumulative number of confirmed cases reported globally is now over 256 million and the cumulative number of deaths is more than 5.1 million

In this edition, two special focus updates are provided on:

• Points of entry, international travel and transport in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic
• SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern (VOCs) and Variants of Interest (VOIs)

Weekly Operational Update

23 November

In this edition of the COVID-19 Weekly Operational Update, highlights of country-level actions and WHO support to countries include:

• Building capacity to create vaccine demand among health care and frontline community workers in Syria
• WHO/Europe supports Serbia’s public health laboratory financing system
• The Ministry of Health collaborates with district authorities to reduce COVID-19 transmission and mortality in Vientiane Capital, Lao People’s Democratic Republic
• Building capacity of frontline health care workforce on latest COVID-19 clinical management practices in the Eastern Mediterranean Region
• Leadership in Emergencies: Building competencies for effective leadership in all-hazards emergency response
• COVID-19 Intra-Action Review (IAR) Training in Muscat, Oman
• Progress on a subset of indicators from the SPRP 2021 Monitoring and Evaluation Framework
• Updates on WHO’s financing to support countries in SPRP 2021 implementation and provision of critical supplies

Donors making a difference

Community vaccinations against COVID-19 help overcome stigma and practical barrier

The COVID-19 Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan

Read more stories of ongoing work in countries around the world in support of the COVID-19 Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan 2021

This week we have received additional funds from Switzerland, the European Commission (ECHO), Gavi-The Vaccine Alliance, United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). Thanks to all donors and partners contributing to the WHO COVID-19 Response

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