The up-to-date COVID-19 and Omicron variant statistics

UPDATED MAY 15, 2022

After two years, the COVID-19 virus continues to mutate and the recent highly contagious Omicron variant continues to impact the world. We present the newest information on COVID-19 and Omicron variant statistics.

This post reviews data from multiple sources, including the weekly World Health Organization (WHO) update and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The focus is on five significant classes of statistics, divided into the following areas:

• World COVID-19 case numbers
• Global COVID-19 cases divided into regions
• Worldwide COVID-19 death statistics
• Weekly global Omicron variant statistics
• Weekly United States COVID-19 Omicron variant statistics

Highlights:

• As of May 8, 2022, the worldwide cumulative COVID-19 case totals 514,948,748. Total COVID-19 deaths globally are 6,253,507.

• Three regions reported increases and three regions reported decreases in COVID-19 weekly cases.

• From May 2, 2022, through May 8, 2022, the number of new deaths decreased by 25% compared to the previous week.

• The Omicron variant represents nearly all global COVID cases.

• On May 12, 2022, the United States reached the milestone of one million reported deaths due to COVID.

• American households can obtain two sets of four free rapid tests by visiting covidtests.gov.

Is COVID-19 still a pandemic?

The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic on March 11, 2020, in a media briefing.  On that date, there were 118,000 reported cases in 114 countries with 4,291 deaths.

As of May 15, 2022, the WHO has not declared COVID-19 endemic, meaning that it is restricted to a particular region.

On January 11, Catherine Smallwood, the WHO’s senior emergency officer for Europe stated “We still have a huge amount of uncertainty and a virus that is evolving quite quickly, imposing new challenges. We are certainly not at the point where we are able to call it endemic.”

Anthony S. Fauci, President Biden’s chief medical adviser, stated on April 27, 2022, that the world is still in a pandemic, but that we are “out of the full-blown explosive pandemic phase” and in a transitional phase. This statement is similar to the American Medical Association website quote from Dr. Stephen Parodi – “the disease is still around but it’s at a level that is not causing significant disruption in our daily lives.” 

Things seem to be improving, however, COVID-19 continues to be a pandemic.

COVID-19 statistics: World case numbers according to the World Health Organization

Let’s examine the overall COVID-19 case numbers released by the WHO on May 11, 2022.

From May 2, 2022, to May 8, 2022, there were 3,546,069 new cases globally. This represents a decrease of 12% compared to the previous week’s seven-day period.

As of May 14, 2022, the worldwide cumulative COVID-19 cases reported by Johns Hopkins University total 520,968,797. 

New Weekly Cases

The WHO divides the world COVID-19 case data by WHO Regions. These regions are as follows:

• Africa Region
• Americas Region
• Eastern Mediterranean Region
• Europe Region
• South-East Asia Region
• Western Pacific Region

Increases

The Americas region had the most significant increase (14%) of new weekly COVID-19 cases. Two other regions increased:

• Western Pacific: 1%
• Africa: 12%

Africa

Reports show 56,983 new cases, an increase of 12%.

• Mauritania reported the highest rise with 48 new cases, an 860% increase over the previous week of 5 new cases.

• Niger increased 67%, with 45 new cases this week versus 27 last week.

• South Africa reported the highest number of new cases, 43,977, an increase of 36%.

The Americas

This region reported just over 500,000 new weekly cases, representing a 4% decrease compared to last week.

• The United States reported the highest number of new cases, totaling 451,414, an 19% increase.

• Brazil saw an 18% increase compared to the prior week, at 110,866.

• Canada reported 41,069 new cases, a decrease of 25%.

Western Pacific Region

Reports show over 1.2 million new cases, similar to the previous week, a 1% increase.

• The Republic of Korea reported 268,749 new cases, a 29% decrease.

• China had 200,968 new cases, a 145% increase.

• Australia reported 431,410 new cases, a 59% increase due to the revision of the number of cases confirmed by rapid antigen testing.

Decreases

The South-East Asia region reported the most significant decrease in new cases (29%). Percentage decreases for the remaining regions were just as good:

• Eastern Mediterranean: 28%
• Europe: 26%

Eastern Mediterranean Region

Reports show just under 12,000 new cases, a 28% decrease from the previous week.

• Iran reported a decrease in new COVID-19 weekly cases at 3,048, a 50% decrease over the previous week.

• Saudi Arabia reported 1,065 new cases, an 57% increase, the highest in the region.

• Bahrain reported 3,376 new cases, a 17% increase from the previous week.

Europe

This region reported over 1.4 million new cases, a 26% decrease from the prior week.

• The highest number of new cases this week came from Germany with 427,044 though this represents a 29% decrease from the previous week.

• France had 267,172 new cases this week, a 30% decrease.

• Italy had 304,573 new cases, a 21% decrease.

South-East Asia Region

Reports reveal over 87,000 new cases, a decrease of 29% from the previous week.

• Thailand reported the highest number of new cases, totaling 62,366 and representing a 35% decrease.

• Indonesia had 1,391 new cases, a 52% decrease.

• India had a 6% increase with 23,006 new cases.

New Weekly Deaths

Cumulative deaths worldwide reported by the WHO have reached 6,253,507. Overall deaths decreased by 25% compared to the previous week.

Increases

The following regions reported an increase in new deaths this week.

• Africa: 84%
• Americas: 3%

Decreases

The regions with a drop in reported deaths this week are:

• Eastern Mediterranean: 26%
• Europe: 24%
• South-East Asia: 70%
• Western Pacific: 32%

Comments from the World Health Organization

Please note the live COVID-19 media briefing with updates on the crisis in Ukraine, streamed live on May 10, 2022. 

Global COVID-19 Omicron Variant Statistics

As of May 8, 2022, the Omicron variant represents 98.4% of global COVID cases according to GISAID.

There are no reports of Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Lambda, or Mu variants.

On May 9, 2022, Statista reported the following numbers:

• The United Kingdom reported the highest number of Omicron variant cases, with 1,138,814.
• The United States reported 945,470 Omicron variant cases.
• Germany has the third-highest number of Omicron variant cases, with 245,120.

From April 11, 2022

As of April 10, 2022, the Omicron variant represents 99.2% of global COVID cases. Delta represents 0.1% of global COVID cases.

On April 11, 2022, Statista reported the following numbers:

• The United Kingdom reported the highest number of Omicron variant cases, with 1,029,448.
• The United States reported 808,648 Omicron variant cases.
• Denmark has the third-highest number of Omicron variant cases, with 182,311.

From February 4, 2022

As of January 31, 2022, the Omicron variant represents 96.4% of global COVID cases.

A preliminary study from Denmark on the properties of the Omicron subvariant BA.2 found that it is “substantially more transmissible” than BA.1 (the current dominant strain).

From January 30, 2022

Based on data collected in the last 30 days, the Omicron variant represents 89.1% of global COVID cases.

There is sufficient data on the Omicron variant for the WHO to publish an official report on its behavior. Their findings (dated January 21, 2022) reveal that:

• The Omicron variant has an amplified ability to spread and has become the dominant variant in many countries.
• There is a lower risk of severe symptoms and death from the Omicron variant compared to the others.
• The Omicron variant has an enhanced ability to elude immunity compared to prior variants, meaning that those who had a previous COVID infection and those vaccinated can still contract the Omicron variant.

Statista reported on the following numbers:

• As of January 27, 2022, the United Kingdom had reported the highest number of Omicron variant cases, with 268,156.
• Of the tested COVID cases in the United States, 211,738 relate to the Omicron variant.
• Denmark has the third-highest number of Omicron variant cases, with 41,935.

From January 14, 2022

This week, we’ll analyze preprints from medRxiv and bioRxiv regarding clinical outcomes among patients infected with the Omicron variant in southern California. Here are some highlights:

Compared to patients with symptomatic Delta variant infections, Omicron variant infections were associated with:

• 52% reductions in risk of any subsequent hospitalization
• 53% reductions in risk of any symptomatic hospitalization
• 74% reductions in risk of ICU admission
• 91% reductions in risk of death
• 70% shorter hospital stay

The study concluded that infections following the emergence of the Omicron variant have not been associated with parallel increases in hospitalizations and deaths.

However, please note the disclaimer: “These are preliminary reports that have not been peer-reviewed. They should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or be reported in news media as established information.”

From January 7, 2022

This week, we’ll analyze the information from South Africa, the first country to identify the Omicron variant. Studies found 4.9% of people with COVID were admitted to the hospital during the fourth wave (Omicron-dominated), compared with 18.9% in the second wave (Beta-dominated) and 13.7% in the third (Delta-dominated).

Hospitalized patients in the Omicron-dominated fourth wave were also 73% less likely to have severe disease than patients hospitalized during the Delta-dominated third wave.

However, the study authors warned against applying these findings to other populations. There are several variables to consider:

• The comorbidity profiles of other populations
• Prevalence of prior infection
• Vaccination coverage

United States COVID-19 Omicron Variant Statistics

The CDC data reported on May 7, 2022, shows the Omicron variant continues to be the dominant variant in the U.S. and includes data on the BA.2 subvariant.

One hundred percent of current COVID-19 cases in the United States are related to the Omicron variant. 0.6% are of the BA.1.1 lineage, 99% are the more transmissible BA.2/BA.2.12.1 subvariants, and 0.2% are B.1.1.529.

Summary

Let’s summarize the statistics for this week:

SUMMARY OF STATISTICS THIS WEEK
World COVID-19 new case numbers	↓ Decreasing
World COVID-19 cases, divided by regions	↔ Mixed
World COVID-19 new death statistics	↓ Decreasing
World COVID-19 deaths, divided by regions	↔ Mixed
United States COVID-19 Omicron variant cases	↓ Decreasing

See additional COVID statistics.

How will you use these COVID-19 and Omicron variant statistics?

It’s positive to see the worldwide new COVID-19 death numbers continue to decrease. The Omicron variant continues to be the dominant variant in the U.S.

Continue to protect yourself and your loved ones from COVID-19.

Watch our site for updated statistics on COVID-19 cases and variants.

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The information contained in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions about a medical condition or health objectives.

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Original publication date: December 24, 2021

Updated monthly

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Additional references:

1. WHO Coronavirus (COVID-19) Dashboard | WHO Coronavirus (COVID-19) Dashboard With Vaccination Data
2. Weekly epidemiological update on COVID-19 – 21 December 2021 (who.int)
3. Weekly epidemiological update on COVID-19 – 28 December 2021 (who.int)
4. Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Situation Reports (who.int)
5. CDC COVID Data Tracker
6. https://www.bmj.com/content/376/bmj.o7
7. https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/weekly-epidemiological-update-on-covid-19—6-january-2022
8. https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/weekly-epidemiological-update-on-covid-19—11-january-2022
9. https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/weekly-epidemiological-update-on-covid-19—18-january-2022
10. https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/weekly-epidemiological-update-on-covid-19—25-january-2022
11. https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/weekly-epidemiological-update-on-covid-19—1-february-2022
12. https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/weekly-epidemiological-update-on-covid-19—8-february-2022
13. https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/weekly-epidemiological-update-on-covid-19—15-february-2022
14. https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/weekly-epidemiological-update-on-covid-19—1-march-2022
15. https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/weekly-epidemiological-update-on-covid-19—12-april-2022
16. https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html
17. https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.01.11.22269045v1
18. How we will know when COVID-19 has become endemic | American Medical Association (ama-assn.org)
19. Too soon to treat COVID-19 like flu as Omicron spreads – WHO | Reuters
20. Fauci says U.S. is out of coronavirus ‘pandemic phase’ – The Washington Post

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