Update on COVID-19 in WHO ’s Eastern Mediterranean Region

9 June 2021 – As of 08 June 2021 (11:59 PM), the Eastern Mediterranean Region has reported 10 353 336 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 206 573 deaths. While the total number of cases has declined over the past 6 weeks and the number of deaths stabilized, 9 countries reported an increase in cases last week, compared to the previous week. These include Somalia, Sudan and Afghanistan, who reported the highest increase in cases. Eleven countries reported an increase in deaths last week, with the highest numbers reported from Sudan, Afghanistan and Morocco.  Variants of concern (VOC) continue to circulate across the Region. To date, 17 countries have officially reported the detection of the VOC Alpha, 10 countries have reported the VOC Beta, 3 countries have officially reported the detection of the VOC Gamma, and 6 countries have reported the VOC Delta (B.1.617.2). In countries where cases of COVID-19 are increasing, we currently have no data to support that this increase is a result of new variants. We are carefully monitoring the situation and encouraging all countries to conduct genomic sequencing analysis so that we can identify new variants and monitor their changes over time. 14 countries in the Region now have local capacity to conduct genomic sequencing in order to detect SARS CoV-2 variants of concern. The other 8 countries receive WHO support to sequence abroad. Two regional reference laboratories are currently supporting other countries in genomic seque...
Source: WHO EMRO News - Category: Middle East Health Source Type: news