The World Health Organization says governments logged a record 9.5 million coronavirus cases around the globe last week — a 71% jump from the prior week. On Thursday, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus confirmed reports that the fast-spreading Omicron variant is less likely to produce severe disease — but warned it should not be categorized as a “mild” virus.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus: “Just like previous variants, Omicron is hospitalizing people, and it’s killing people. In fact, the tsunami of cases is so huge and quick that it is overwhelming health systems around the world.”