16 March 2023 Your key COVID-19 report
Weekly Epidemiological Update
16 March 2023
Globally, nearly 4.1 million new cases and 28 000 deaths were reported in the last 28 days (13 February to 12 March 2023), a decrease of 40% and 57%, respectively, compared to the previous 28 days; however, there are significant regional differences including increases in some regions. As of 12 March 2023, over 760 million confirmed cases and over 6.8 million deaths have been reported globally.
In this edition, we include:
- The COVID-19 epidemiological update at the global and the regional levels
- An update on the circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) and Omicron subvariants under monitoring
- An update on COVID-19 vaccination status of health and care workers
- An update on hospitalizations and ICU admissions related to COVID-19
Monthly Operational Update
February
In this edition of the Monthly Operational Update on Health Emergencies, highlights of country-level actions and WHO support to countries include:
- WHO provides risk communication support to the Ministry of Health as part of the larger earthquake response in Türkiye
- Responding to cholera in Malawi
- Responding to cholera in the Dominican Republic
- Supporting thousands in Somalia’s hard-to-reach locations with critical life-saving health, nutrition and other services
- Upgrading the WHO Logistics Hub in Dubai-United Arab Emirates into a Global Logistics Centre for Health Emergencies to enhance preparedness and response efforts globally
- Téchne, a central platform for the design of Ebola treatment center
- WHO Regional Office for Europe holds workshops on the prevention and response to sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (PRSEAH) in the context of the war in Ukraine and other emergencies
- WHO conducts a pilot testing of the new Rapid Response Teams Training Programme in Nepal, Saudi Arabia, and Uganda
- Iraq conducts national multi-antigen vaccination campaign for more than 400 000 children
- Azerbaijan boosts its vaccine cold chain system
- WHO partners with a civil society organization in Papua New Guinea to promote behaviour change in the workplace
- The Pandemic Fund: strengthening pandemic prevention, preparedness and resilience where it is most needed
- New certification recognizes WHO commitment to high-quality humanitarian learning
- WHO’s Health Emergency Appeal 2023: responding to health emergencies across the world
Somalia calls for help as 1.8 million Somali children under 5 experience acute malnutrition and health complications
In Somalia, WHO is using the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) funds to minimize the health impact of the famine-like situation provoked by the worst drought in a decade. The number of people requiring urgent support is increasing, with 7.8 million people affected and an estimated 1.8 million children under 5 facing acute malnutrition. WHO is on the ground providing essential lifesaving primary health care services in hard-hit districts across the country, but the situation is worsening.
©WHO/Somalia
Strengthening Mental Health response to COVID-19 and other crisis in three Caribbean countries
Yemen’s health crisis: WHO calls for increased funding to save millions of Yemenis
The World Health Organization (WHO) together with its Health Cluster partners in Yemen is appealing for US$ 392 million to reach 12.9 million people with essential health assistance in 2023. The funding will be used to ensure that overstretched health facilities can continue providing even most basic services to 12.9 million of the most vulnerable people.
WHO's Health Emergency Appeal 2023
WHO needs US$ 2.54 billion to provide help and respond to the urgent needs of the most vulnerable amongst a record 339 million people in need of humanitarian assistance. Many are at risk of serious health threats, including disease outbreaks, nutritional crises, and lack of access to essential medical services, The funds will enable WHO to respond to 54 ongoing emergencies, 11 of which are Grade 3.
Read more stories of work in countries around the world.
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