Global Health

WHO: COVID-19 cases rising nearly everywhere in the world GENEVA (AP) — The number of new coronavirus cases rose by 18% in the last week, with more than 4.1 million cases reported globally, according to the World Health Organization. The U.N. health agency said in its latest weekly report on the pandemic that the worldwide number of deaths remained relatively similar to the week before, at about 8,500. AP NEWS

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The Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 have together become dominant in the U.S., the C.D.C. estimates

Continuing their rapid march across the United States, the Omicron subvariants known as BA.4 and BA.5 have together become dominant among new coronavirus cases, according to new estimates on Tuesday from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

As of the week ending Saturday, BA.4 made up 15.7 percent of new cases, and BA.5 was 36.6 percent, accounting for about 52 percent of new cases in the United States, numbers that experts said should rise in the weeks to come.

Covid Live Updates: F.D.A. Panel Recommends Updated Boosters That Target Forms of Omicron The move came as new federal estimates show two subvariants, known as BA.4 and BA.5, make up more than half of new U.S. cases in the country. But it is possible that the virus might evolve yet again by the fall. The New York Times

An expert committee recommended Tuesday that the Food and Drug Administration plan on an updated booster shot of the coronavirus vaccines that targets some form of the Omicron variant that has dominated for months.

Evolution is on omicron subvariants’ side Each new omicron subvariant is increasingly likely to lead to reinfection or breakthrough infection. ABC News ABC News

A new study finds that as the coronavirus continues to evolve, each new omicron subvariant is increasingly likely to lead to reinfection or breakthrough infection. However, researchers say current vaccines are still doing a good job of protecting people against severe illness.