2021-10-25-世界卫生组织-Weekly_epidemiological_update_on_COVID-19_-_26_October_2021_20页_1mb

COVID-19 Weekly Epidemiological Update Summary (26 Oct 2021)

Global Overview

• New Cases: 4% increase (2.93 million new cases) compared to the previous week.
• New Deaths: 5% increase (49,000 new deaths).
• Leading Regions: European Region accounted for 57% of cases and was the only region with an increase.
• Notable Increases: United Kingdom (16%), Ukraine (43%), USA (12% decrease in cases).
• Cumulative Data: 243 million confirmed cases, 4.9 million deaths since pandemic began.

Key Concerns

• Variant Spread: Delta variant dominates (many regions). Emergence of AY.4.2, characterized by mutations A222V and Y145H.
• Vaccination Equity: 47% of global population vaccinated with at least one dose, significant disparities by income level.

Special Focus

1. WHO Rapid Risk Assessment

• Risk Status: "Very High" global public health risk for COVID-19 pandemic.
• Key Drivers: Increased transmissibility of Delta, reduced adherence to public health measures, ongoing resumption of travel and school openings.
• Phenotypic Impact: Ongoing studies for AY.4.2, potentially causing decreased susceptibility to antibodies.

2. Age and Sex Distribution

• Reported Cases: Data from 184 countries; <50% complete for COVID-19 mortality.
• Youth Cases: Increase among children (0–24), particularly in Europe and Western Pacific.
• Death Ratio: Highest proportion of deaths among males globally (58% of cases, 60% of deaths).

3. Variants of Interest & Concern

• Current Prevalence: Europe shows highest number of cases, many countries report Delta dominance.
• AY.4.2 Trend: Identified in >90% of 26,000 sequences from the UK and elsewhere; further phenotypic assessment needed.

Regional Updates (24 Oct cases/deaths)

1. Americas: Decrease of 9% in cases; increase in deaths (+1%).
2. Europe: Cases (+18%), deaths (+14%).
3. South-East Asia: Cases (-8%), deaths (-13%).
4. Western Pacific: Cases (-17%), deaths (-16%).
5. Eastern Mediterranean: Cases (-5%), deaths (-13%).
6. Africa: Cases (-21%), deaths (-11%).

Operational Notes

• WHO Funding Gap: US$ 900 million needed for 2021 pandemic response plan.
• Ongoing Challenges: Shortages in vaccines, testing, treatments and inadequate surveillance particularly in low-income settings.

Conclusions

• Surveillance data remain incomplete.
• COVID-19 continues to disproportionately affect older people and males globally.
• Areas of concern include Delta spread, reinfection risks, viral evolution, emerging variants and lack of access to COVID-19 countermeasures and surveillance systems particularly in low-income countries.