Symptomatic illness rate remains high at 37,764 per 100,000 across all ages, and hospitalization rate and mortality have been rising from time to time, disproportionally impacting those with weaker immune systems and older populations above 65. Despite 12,961,382,558 vaccine doses administered globally and COVID-19-specific treatments, disease burden, morbidity, and mortality remain significant, resulting in ongoing pandemic waves in many regions.
Over 628,694,943 COVID-19 cases and over 6,576,088 associated deaths have been confirmed since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic began.