Washington-. The Americas kicked off the new year today with the highest increase in Covid-19 cases in the world, when the balance of the media tilts towards Europe due to the ongoing disease.
The latest data from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) revealed a 50 percent rise in registered cases, more than half of countries and territories with numbers above 20, while deaths rose by 11 percent in the region.
Between December 19 and 25, the United States recorded the highest numbers, followed by Canada and Argentina, while Central American countries increased infections, with the exception of Panama and Belize.
Bolivia topped that week in the increase in cases in the Andean region, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru also reported increases and in the Southern Cone, Paraguay and Uruguay recorded a similar trend, with Brazil declining.
The numbers increased in the Caribbean, while Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica recorded significant increases compared to the previous seven days, and, on the other hand, decreased in Trinidad and Tobago.
The Omicron variant, classified as a concern by the World Health Organization, has been reported by 27 countries and territories in the Americas.
Faced with such a scenario, and given the period of holidays and holidays, the Pan American Health Organization has urged an acceleration of vaccination against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes Covid-19, and the continuation of public health measures.
To reduce transmission of infection, the authority endorsed the importance of using appropriate masks, physical distancing, ventilation of indoor spaces, avoiding crowding, and practicing hand hygiene.
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