WHO COVID-19 Update: High infection rate in 0-19 age group in India, globally new cases fall by 9%
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The update also stated that worldwide, the number of weekly COVID-19 cases and deaths has been declining since August
A cross-sectional study in India has shown an increased number of COVID-19 infections in those between the ages of 0-19 and in women, a higher mortality rate and more incidences of post-vaccination infections with the Delta variant.
World Health Organization's (WHO) COVID-19 Weekly Epidemiological Update, issued this week, cited this cross-sectional study. The study, which has not yet been peer-reviewed, focused on demographic characteristics, including severe illness and mortality rates.
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Researchers conducted this study in India among COVID-19 cases caused by the B.1 variant (a non-Variant Of Concern) and the B.1.617.2 Delta variant (a Variant Of Concern).
"Using viral genomic sequences from 9,500 COVID-19 patients, the study found an increased number of infections among younger age groups (0-19 years) and women, a lower mean age for infection and symptomatic illness/hospitalisation, higher mortality and more frequent incidences of post-vaccination infections with Delta variant compared to the non-VOC (B.1) variant," the WHO update said.
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The update also stated that worldwide, the number of weekly COVID-19 cases and deaths has been declining since August. Compared to the previous week, the number of cases plunged by 9 per cent, while death rates remained the same.
During the week of September 27 to October 3, 2021, 3.1 million new cases and just over 54,000 new deaths were reported.
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Globally, there have been more than 234 million confirmed cases and about 4.8 million deaths.
Except for the European region, all regions reported a decline in new cases this week. The African Region reported the largest decrease of 43 per cent, followed by the Eastern Mediterranean Region at 21 per cent and the South-East Asia Region at 19 per cent.
(With inputs from agencies)