WHO reports 14% drop in global cases

Panel warns that the pandemic could have been prevented 0:48

(CNN) -

4.1 million global covid-19 cases were reported in the week ending May 23, a 14% decrease from the previous week, the World Health Organization (WHO ).

The WHO also reported 84,000 new COVID-19 deaths worldwide, a 2% decrease from the previous week.

The largest decline in new cases and deaths was in the European region, the report noted.

However, the WHO warned that global COVID-19 cases remained high overall.

"Despite a global downward trend in the past four weeks, the incidence of COVID-19 cases and deaths remains high, with substantial increases seen in many countries around the world," the report said.

India reported by far the highest number of new cases - 1,846,055 - although it was down 23% from the previous week.

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In an update on virus variants of concern, the WHO reported new evidence showing that community transmission from March to April in the UK was higher for variant B.1,617, first identified in India, than for variant B. 1,1.7, first identified in the UK.

Variants of covid-19: what most worries science 0:49

The report also cites research showing that variant B.1,617 can cause covid-19 vaccines to lose some ability to neutralize the virus.

"The evolution of the virus is expected, and the more SARS-CoV-2 circulates, the more opportunities it has to evolve," said WHO.

WHO underscored the importance of virus control measures to manage the spread of variants.

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