More than 17 million cases of COVID-19 have been reported worldwide.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there were 292,527 new cases of the coronavirus reported worldwide in the past 24 hours – the highest daily increase ever recorded – bringing the worldwide total number of infections from the deadly virus to 17,106,007.
Brazil reported 69,074 new cases of the virus yesterday, the highest of anywhere in the world, according to the WHO. The United States, which has more reported cases of COVID-19 than any other country, reported 65,406 new cases. India reported 55,078 new cases while South Africa reported 11,046 cases yesterday.
Canada reported less than 500 new cases in the past 24 hours, according to the World Health Organization. B.C. health officials reported 50 new cases yesterday, the highest single-day increase since April.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a press release that there is evidence to suggest that the rise of new cases in certain countries is due to younger people letting their guard down during the summer months, adding that young people need to be aware of the dangers regarding COVID-19.
“We have said it before and we’ll say it again: young people are not invincible. Young people can be infected, young people can die, and young people can transmit the virus to others. That’s why young people must take the same precautions to protect themselves and protect others as everyone else. They can be leaders – they should be leaders and drivers of change,” he said.
As the number of new cases continues to climb in many parts of the world, the World Health Organization is urging health care systems to increase their capacity to deal with a resurgence of cases and continue to provide other essential health services.
“There are many lessons that will be taught as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic but we have already learned one the hard way: Many health systems were not prepared, and even the strongest systems were overwhelmed and often unable to ensure care for people with other conditions such as HIV and immunization,” said WHO, adding. “For this reason, as we look forward, health systems need to maintain what we at WHO call a dual track – which means to be on the alert to expand capacity to deal with a resurgence of COVID-19 and, at the same time, to maintain essential health services. Ultimately, this will require far better integration between communities, primary care and hospitals, and placing health at the centre of an interconnected country political agenda.”
WHO also said in many countries, particularly high-income nations, around 40 per cent of COVID-19 deaths are linked to long-term care facilities and is recommending countries consider integrating long-term care into their national response.
As of Aug. 1, there have been 116,312 cases of COVID-19 – including 8,935 deaths – reported in Canada, according to Health Canada.
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