
8700  new fatalities reported. As of 7 January 2024, over 774 million confirmed cases and over 7 million deaths 
have been reported globally.  According to estimates obtained from viral loads in wastewater surveillance, clinical 
detection of cases underestimated the real burden 2 to 19 -fold1,2,3 
Reported cases do not accurately represent infection rates due to the r eduction in testing and reporting globally . 
During this 28 -day period, only 45% (10 6 of 234) of countries reported at least one case to WHO. It is important 
to note that this statistic does not reflect the actual number of countries where cases exist. Additionally, data 
from the previous 28 -day period are continuously being updated to inc orporate retrospective changes made by 
countries regarding reported COVID -19 cases and deaths. Data presented in this report are therefore incomplete 
and should be interpreted considering these limitations. Some countries continue to r eport high burdens of 
COVID -19, including increases in newly reported cases and, more importantly, increases in hospitalizations and 
deaths – the latter of which are considered more reliable indicators given reductions in testing. Global and 
national data on SARS -CoV-2 PCR percent positivity are available on WHO’s integrated influenza and other 
respiratory viruses surveillance dashboard . Recent data (epidemiological week one, 1 to 7 January  2024) from 
sentinel sites show that the SARS -CoV-2 PCR percent positivity from reporting countries averages approximately 
8% (Figure 2).   
As many countries discontinue COVID -19-specific reporting and integrate it into respiratory disease surveillance, 
WHO will use all available sources to continue monitoring the COVID -19 epidemiological situation, especially 
data on morbidity and impact on h ealth systems. COVID -19 remains a major threat, and WHO urges Member 
States to maintain, not dism