except for the descendent lineage(s) listed here. The Unassigned category includes lineages 
pending for a PANGO lineage name designation, whereas the Other category includes lineages that are assigned but not listed here. 
Source: SARS -CoV-2 sequence data and metadata from GISAID, from 3 July to 31 December 2023.  
 
 
 
 
A 
B  
22 
 Additional resources  
 
• Tracking SARS -CoV-2 Variants  
• WHO statement on updated tracking system on SARS -CoV-2 variants of concern and variants of interest   
• SARS -CoV-2 variant risk evaluation framework, 30 August 2023  
• WHO JN.1 Initial Risk Evaluation, 1 3 December 2023  
• WHO BA.2.86 Initial Risk Evaluation, 21 November 2023  
• WHO EG.5 Updated Risk Evaluation, 21 November 2023  
• WHO XBB.1.5 Updated Risk Assessment, 20 June 2023  
• WHO XBB.1.16 Updated Risk Assessment, 5 June 2023    
22 WHO  regional  overviews   
Data for 11 December  2023  to 7 January 2024  
 
African  Region 
The African Region reported over 3354 new cases, a 63% decrease as compared to the previous 28 -day period. Five (10%) of the 50 countries for which data are 
available reported increases in new cases of 20% or greater, with the highest proportional increases observed in Mauritania ( 30 vs six new cases; +400%), Senegal 
(17 vs six new cases ; +183%), Mali (two vs one new case; +100%), Burundi (78 vs 51 new cases; +53%), and Angola (