-19 cases  over the last 28 days relative to the previous 28 days, as of 7 January  2024** 
 
**Se e Annex 1: Data, table, and figure notes  
 
8 
 Figure  5. Number  of COVID -19 deaths  reported over  the last 28 days per 100 000 population , as of 7 January   2024 ** 
 
**Se e Annex 1: Data, table, and figure notes  
 
9 
 Figure 6. Percentage change in confirmed COVID -19 deaths  over the last 28 days relative to the previous 28 days, as of 7 January  2024** 
 
**Se e Annex 1: Data, table, and figure notes  
 
10 
  
Hospitalizations and ICU admissions  
 
At the global level, during the past 28 days (11 December 2023  to 7 January 2024), a total of 173 547  new 
hospitalizations and 1 966 new intensive care unit (ICU) admissions were reported from 5 3 and 4 2 countries, 
respectively (Figure 7). This represents 32% increase and 3% decrease, respectively, compared to the previous 28 
days (13 November to 10 December 2023). Note that the absence of reported data from some countries to WHO 
does not imply that there are no COVID -19-related hospitalizations in those countries. The prese nted hospitalization 
data are preliminary and might change as new data become available. Furthermore, hospitalization data are subject 
to reporting delays. These data also likely include both hospitalizations with incidental cases of SARS -CoV-2 infection 
and those due to COVID -19 disease.   
  
 
New hospitalizations  
During the past 28 days, 5 3 (23%) countries reported data to WHO on new hospitalizations at least once (Figure 7).