COVID-19 Global Update: Epidemiology and Trends

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve rapidly across the world, Burnet’s Know-C19 Hub has compiled the most pressing global epidemiology, trends and snapshots in Volume 1 of its April 2021 Global Update.

This Global Update provides an excellent summation of the latest COVID-19 data and news – with sources cited – from all corners of the globe.

Read the report now

Key points from the April 2021, Volume 1 report

7-day average of new COVID-19 cases

Image: Seven-day rolling average of daily global COVID-19 cases between October 2020 and April 2021

  • 153 million global COVID-19 cases reached, 3.2 million deaths.
  • Case numbers surging in every region, especially in Asia and South America.
  • Seven-day rolling average of daily global cases has more than doubled since February 2021.
  • While India’s outbreak is the world’s largest, many other countries across Asia are experiencing severe second, third and fourth waves.
  • Steadily increasing new cases in Timor-Leste; declines in Papua New Guinea although testing is low so the reported rates under-represent the true extent of spread.
  • Of the 295 active COVID-19 cases in Australia, all but five are in hotel quarantine.

Implications for the Australian COVID-19 Response

  • New cases continue to increase rapidly across all regions, particularly in Asia and South America. India’s second wave is unprecedented and true numbers of deaths are up to 24 times higher than official counts.
  • High vaccine coverage has slowed infections in the USA, UK and Israel.
  • Despite high vaccine coverage, Chile is in the midst of a severe third wave which many experts put down to poor adherence to public health precautions and premature relaxation of restrictions.
  • Inconsistent implementation of hotel quarantine remains the main threat to Australia’s enjoyment of low community transmission, at a time when COVID-19 is spreading at a record pace in other countries.

Snapshots | Diagnosis, Epidemiology and Outcomes

  • Understanding how Victoria gained control of its second COVID-19 wave
  • SARS-CoV-2 and Surface (Fomite) Transmission for Indoor Community Environments
  • Epidemiologic Evidence for Airborne Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 during Church Singing, Sydney, 2020
  • Ten scientific reasons in support of airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2
  • Update on post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (Long COVID-19)
  • COVID-19 spread uncontrolled through the US prison system
  • Pandemic threatens lost decade for development

Read the full report here

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