Weekly COVID-19 Reports Update

Weekly Epidemiological Update

 15 February

During the week of 7 to 13 February 2022, the global number of new COVID-19 cases decreased by 19% as compared to the number reported during the previous week, while the number of new deaths remained similar to that of the previous week. Across the six WHO regions, just over 16 million new cases and just under 75 000 new deaths were reported. As of 13 February 2022, over 409 million confirmed cases and over 5.8 million deaths have been reported globally

At the regional level, the Western Pacific Region reported an increase of 19% in the number of new weekly cases while all other regions reported decreases: the South-East Asia Region (37% decrease), the Region of the Americas (32% decrease), the African Region (30% decrease), the European Region (16% decrease) and the Eastern Mediterranean Region (12% decrease). The number of new weekly deaths increased in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (38%), the Western Pacific Region (27%), the African Region (14%) and the Region of the Americas (5%), while it remained similar to that of the previous week in the European Region and decreased in the South-East Asia Region (9%)

In this edition we provide updates on:

• The geographic distribution of circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs), including the spread and prevalence of the Omicron variant
• The BA.2 Pango lineage of the Omicron variant of concern

Weekly Operational Update

 15 February

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

• Strengthening South Sudan’s emergency response with phase two of public health emergency operations centre
• Romania: boosting the mobility of health-care workers to support communities during the pandemic and beyond
• WHO and the Syrian Arab Republic combine efforts to raise COVID-19 vaccine accessibility and uptake
• Maintaining influenza surveillance and SARS-CoV-2 monitoring in Indonesia
• Online courses in Ukrainian support national response to the COVID-19 pandemic and other emergencies
• Updates on WHO’s financing to support countries on COVID-19 response implementation to suppress transmission, reduce exposure, and protect the vulnerable and save lives
• Progress on a subset of global indicators that demonstrate country and global progress to end the acute phase of the pandemic

Suicide prevention in Bhutan: scaling-up during the pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought huge change and uncertainty to people's lives. Family illness and bereavement, unemployment and lack of physical contact with family and friends can all lead to increased stress and mental health conditions such as depression

In Bhutan, anticipating the mental health consequences of the pandemic, in March 2020, the Ministry of Health set up, with the support of WHO, a National COVID-19 Mental Health and Psychosocial Response Team. Read about how this led to increased capacity for mental health services in the country
Photo ©WHO/Payden

WHO spearheads mobile antigen-based rapid testing in communities

WHO SPRP 2021 Mid-term Report - WHO Strategic Action Against COVID-19

WHO COVID-19 SPRP: Updated Appeal September 2021 - March 2022

New ACT-Accelerator Appeal: Supporting the spinal cord of the global COVID-19 response - December 2021

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 the Islamic Republic of Iran. Thanks to all donors and partners contributing to the WHO COVID-19 Response

This email aims to keep you informed about WHO's work to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and showcase stories of impact only possible thanks to the contributions of our donors and partners. Help us improve it by sharing your feedback to WHO media