Epidemiology

Cases have been reported across all continents since the beginning of the pandemic. Over 500 million confirmed cases and over 6 million deaths have been reported globally.[19]

[Figure caption and citation for the preceding image starts]: Number of COVID-19 cases reported weekly by WHO Region, and global deaths, as of  26 June 2022World Health Organization [Citation ends].com.bmj.content.model.Caption@421f382b

Updated case counts are available from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

Older people ≥70 years of age and males are at increased risk for infection and severe disease.[20] Adolescents appear to have similar susceptibility to infection as adults, and children have a lower susceptibility. However, evidence is conflicting and the detailed relationship between age and susceptibility to infection requires further investigation.[21][22] Unlike adults, children do not seem to be at higher risk for severe disease based on age or sex.[23] Variants may spread more effectively and rapidly among young children compared with the wild-type virus, although hospitalization rates decreased.[24][25]

The incidence of infection in healthcare workers ranged from 0% to 49.6%, and the prevalence of seropositivity ranged from 1.6% to 31.6%. There was no consistent association between sex, age, or healthcare worker role (i.e., nurse versus physician) and risk for infection or seropositivity. However, non-White race (Black, Asian or Asian/Pacific Islander, or combined non-White races) or Hispanic ethnicity was significantly associated with an increased risk of infection compared with White people. Working in a hospital unit with COVID-19 patients, being a frontline worker, and direct or prolonged patient contact were also associated with an increased risk for infection. Household or private setting exposure was a stronger risk factor than work exposure in most studies.[26][27]

Use of this content is subject to our disclaimer