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Covid-19 cases and deaths declining, according to World Health Organisation

Helena BurkeNCA NewsWire
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There’s some good news for Australians battling ongoing lockdowns and persistent case increases – the number of new Covid-19 cases and deaths is actually falling across the world as vaccination rates climb.

According to the World Health Organisation, the number of new cases has dropped significantly since August, with 3.7 million new cases reported globally last week, compared to an average of 4.5 million new cases reported for the weeks of mid August.

Death numbers have also dropped, with 62,000 casualties recorded for the week of September 13, compared to 68,800 for the week of August 16.

But amid a surge in cases in Victoria and persistent case increases in NSW, Australia is sadly one of the few countries that has not enjoyed a decrease in cases and deaths over recent weeks.

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Camera IconAccording to the World Health Organisation, the number of new Covid-19 cases has dropped significantly since August. NCA NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui. Credit: News Corp Australia

Across the country last week, 12,087 new cases and 64 Covid-related deaths were recorded – a 20 per cent and 12 per cent respective increase on the week before.

But the WHO’s data suggests the Delta variant’s grip on the world is beginning to ease, with Australia hopefully following suit in coming months.

The global drop in cases and deaths mark the first significant decline in the spread of the virus for more than two months, with cases falling in every world region.

The Middle East and South-East Asia had the most significant easing in cases, with drops of 22 per cent and 16 per cent respectively.

Covid-19 international cases and death data. Picture: World Health Organisation.
Camera IconInternational Covid-19 cases and deaths reported weekly. World Health Organisation. Credit: Supplied

The WHO said the highly-infectious Delta strain had now spread to 185 countries and was present in every region of the world.

The US, India, Britain, Turkey and the Philippines maintain the highest number of Covid-19 infections in the world.

Originally published as Covid-19 cases and deaths declining, according to World Health Organisation

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