Weekly epidemiological update on COVID-19 - 21 December 2022

Globally, the number of new weekly cases reported during the week of 12 to 18 December 2022 was similar (+3%) to the previous week, with over 3.7 million new cases reported. The number of new weekly deaths was 6% lower than in the previous week, with over 10 400 new fatalities reported. In the last 28 days, over 13.7 million cases and over 40 000 new fatalities were reported globally – a 36% increase and 2% decline, respectively, compared to the previous 28 days. As of 18 December 2022, over 649 million confirmed cases and over 6.6 million deaths have been reported globally. 

In this edition, we include:

• The COVID-19 epidemiological update at the global and regional levels.
• An update on the circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) and Omicron subvariants under monitoring.
• An update on hospitalizations and ICU admissions related to COVID-19.
• Summary of Monthly Operational Update. 

The next weekly epidemiological update on COVID-19 will be published on January 4, 2023.