BRASILIA, Reuters – COVID-19 infection rates are at new highs in America with 7.2 Million new cases and over 15,000 deaths from the disease in the past week. This was according to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Wednesday.

Carissa Etienne, Director of PAHO, stated that the virus was spreading faster than ever.

According to the regional agency, the Caribbean saw the highest increase in infection rates since the outbreak of the pandemic two years ago. The United States, Canada and North America are seeing an increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations.

PAHO recommends that countries prioritise rapid antigen testing for COVID-19-positive people and those at high risk of contracting the virus.

Omicron spreads rapidly even though over 60% of Latin Americans and Caribbean residents have had their COVID-19 vaccines, according to Sylvain Aldighieri, PAHO Incident Manager.

He said that the variant’s progress in coming weeks or months will be dependent on how public health measures are taken to stop it. These include using masks and social ditancing, as well as vaccinations to lower the severity of COVID-19 and hospitalizations.

Brazil had a record breaking 137.103 coronavirus infections in 24 hours. Omicron was spreading rapidly in Latin America’s largest country. The Health Ministry reported on Tuesday that Brazil saw a record number. This is in addition to the record number of new cases exceeding the June 2013 record of 115.228.

A Reuters tally shows that Brazil ranks third in the world for COVID-19 deaths, behind Russia and the United States.