COVID

During the four-week reporting period from 6 January to 2 February 2025, weekly SARS-CoV-2 PCR percent test positivity changed from 7.3% in the beginning week of the reporting period to 5.0% in the last week, as detected in integrated sentinel and systematic virological surveillance within the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS). During this period, an average of 69 900 specimens across 103 countries were tested for SARS-CoV-2 each week.

The World Health Organization is monitoring several SARS-CoV-2 variants, including one variant of interest (VOI) JN.1, and seven variants under monitoring (VUMs). JN.1, the VOI, accounted for 16.3% of sequences in week 5 of 2025. The most prevalent VUM XEC showed a decrease in prevalence, accounting for 42.7% of sequences. LP.8.1 and LB.1 are the only tracked variants currently growing in prevalence, accounting for 13.9% and 1.2%, respectively, of sequences in week 5 of 2025. All the remaining VUMs are declining in prevalence.

Twenty-three (10%) countries reported COVID-19 deaths, and 83 (35%) countries reported COVID-19 cases globally during the 28-day period from 6 January to 2 February 2025. According to the data provided, over 147 000 new cases were reported during the 28-day period, representing a 16% decrease in the number of reported cases. At the same time, around 4500 new deaths were reported, representing a 28% increase in new deaths compared to the previous 28-day period (9 December 2024 to 5 January 2025).

During the same period, hospitalizations and intensive care unit (ICU) admissions were reported at least once in 43 (18%) and 33 (14%) countries, respectively. Over 16 700 new hospitalizations and 700 new intensive care unit admissions were recorded based on the data that was available. New hospitalizations and ICU admissions decreased by 40% and 31% respectively among the countries that consistently reported these data over the past and previous reporting periods.

In this edition, we include:?

All COVID-19 Epidemiological and Operational Updates?