PAHO Weekly COVID-19 Epidemiological Update -EW2- 18 January 2023

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  •  Since the onset of the pandemic in 2020 and up to January 18, 2023, a cumulative total of approximately 663 million COVID-19 cases including about 6.7 million deaths were reported from all six WHO regions. During epidemiological week (EW) 2, cases increased in one region – EMRO (6.1%) while they decreased in the remaining five regions. COVID-19 deaths decreased in three regions while they increased in WPRO (42.6%), AMRO (17.6%), and EMRO (8.7%). 

  • Globally, approximately 2,738,944 new COVID-19 cases were reported in EW 2 (January 08, 2023-January 14, 2023) - a -9.8% decrease compared to EW 1 (January 01, 2023-January 07, 2023) (Figure 1). For the same period, 13,432 new COVID-19 deaths were reported globally – a 3.4% relative increase compared the previous week.

  • In the region of the Americas, 657,436 cases and 5,403 deaths were reported in EW 2 - a - 16.5% decrease in cases and 17.6% increase in deaths compared to the previous week. 

  • At the subregional level, COVID-19 cases increased in 2 subregions - Central America (27.5%) and Caribbean and Atlantic Ocean Islands (22%) while they decreased in North America (-13.2%) and South America (-27%). Deaths increased in two subregions - North America (45.3%) and Central America (8.6%).

  • The overall weekly case notification rate for the region of the Americas was 64.3 cases per 100,000 population during EW 2 (77 the previous week). Between EW 2 and 1, the 14-day COVID-19 death rate was 9.8 deaths per 1 million population (9 the previous two weeks).

  • Among 20 countries/territories in the region with available data, COVID-19 hospitalizations increased in 9 countries and territories (range: 2.6% - 250%) during EW 2 compared to the previous week. Among 17 countries and territories with available data, COVID-19 ICU admissions increased in 7 countries and territories (range: 2.7% - 150%).