Healthcare
Where COVID-19 is Rising and Falling Around the World
Where COVID-19 is Rising and Falling Around the World
It’s been just over two months since New York declared a state of emergency, and global stock markets were hammered as the fears of a full-blown crisis began to take hold.
Since then, we’ve seen detailed, daily coronavirus coverage in most of the major news outlets. With such a wealth of information available, it can be hard to keep track of the big picture of what’s happening around the world.
Today’s graphic, adapted from Information is Beautiful, is an efficient look at where the virus is fading away, and where new infection hotspots are emerging.
The Ebb and Flow of Coronavirus Cases
First, the good news: the number of new confirmed COVID-19 cases has started to level off on a global basis. This metric was rising rapidly until the beginning of April — but since then, it has plateaued and is holding steady (for now).
Of course, the global total doesn’t tell the whole story. Different countries, and even regions within countries, are in very different phases of dealing with the pandemic.
Let’s look at the current situation around the world.
New Cases: Falling
Many of the countries that experienced early outbreaks of COVID-19 are now seeing a drop-off in the number of new cases.
Italy, which experienced one of the most severe outbreaks, is finally emerging from the world’s longest nationwide lockdown. Switzerland and the Netherlands both had some of the highest confirmed case rates per capita, but are now in better situations as fresh cases drop off.
The narrow, pointy curves exhibited by New Zealand and Austria give us an indication of where containment measures were successful at curbing the spread of the virus. This type of pronounced curve is less common, and is generally seen in nations with smaller populations.
New Cases: Leveling Off
For many of the world’s major economies, containing the spread of the virus has proven exceptionally difficult. Despite increased testing and lockdown measures, the United States still has one of the steepest infection trajectory curves. The UK also has a very similar new case curve.
Even as countries’ curves begin to flatten and level off, there is still a danger of new flare-ups of the virus – as is now the case in South Korea and China. Even in Singapore, which saw early success in containing the virus, is experiencing a rise in new COVID-19 cases.
New Cases: Rising
Some countries – particularly developing economies – are only in the beginning stages of facing COVID-19’s rapid spread. This is a cause for concern, as many of the countries with steeply rising curves have larger populations and fewer resources to deal with a pandemic.
In late March, as the virus was spreading rapidly through Europe, Russia appeared to have avoided an outbreak within its borders. Today, however, that situation is much different. Russia has the world’s steepest infection trajectory curve, with the number of cases on a course to double roughly every five days.
The countries in the image above have a combined population of 2.8 billion people, so as COVID-19 continues to spread through those countries, the eyes of the world will be watching.
Healthcare
Innovation in Virology: Vaccines and Antivirals
Vaccine development has grown six-fold since 1995. Learn how virology, the study of viruses, is driving innovation in the healthcare industry.

Innovation in Virology: Vaccines and Antivirals
The COVID-19 pandemic affected millions of people worldwide and brought renewed focus to virology—the study of viruses.
However, impact made by viruses extends far beyond the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. There are 24 viruses that have each infected more than 80 million people globally, from hepatitis to influenza.
In this graphic from MSCI, we uncover innovation in vaccines and antivirals and the related market opportunities.
What is a Virus?
A virus is a microscopic infectious agent that replicates within living cells. It may cause disease in its host. New viruses can emerge at any time as a result of mutation, or when viruses transfer from animals to humans.
Through virology, scientists are continuously finding new ways to fight against infectious diseases. Two main types of anti-infectives are available: vaccines and antivirals.
Rapid Innovation in Vaccines
Vaccines are substances designed to prevent people from getting infected with a disease or experiencing serious symptoms.
The number of vaccines has increased dramatically over the last three decades. From 2020 to 2021 alone, the number of approved vaccines or clinical candidates jumped by 13%.
Year | Vaccines Approved or in Development |
---|---|
1995 | 240 |
1996 | 262 |
1997 | 309 |
1998 | 323 |
1999 | 374 |
2000 | 415 |
2001 | 462 |
2002 | 472 |
2003 | 509 |
2004 | 531 |
2005 | 564 |
2006 | 610 |
2007 | 606 |
2008 | 704 |
2009 | 751 |
2010 | 866 |
2011 | 893 |
2012 | 880 |
2013 | 943 |
2014 | 1075 |
2015 | 1179 |
2016 | 1374 |
2017 | 1397 |
2018 | 1340 |
2019 | 1356 |
2020 | 1388 |
2021 | 1567 |
Data is a snapshot in time and reflects all vaccines ever approved (and not taken off the market) plus all vaccines in development as of the noted year (for which a trial has not been canceled).
Not only that, it’s possible to have shorter approval timelines. COVID-19 vaccines were approved within 11 months, much more quickly than the 2000-2020 average of 10 years.
In the time between an outbreak and vaccine development, antivirals can play a vital role.
Antivirals: The Second Line of Defense in Virology
Antivirals are drugs that slow or prevent the growth of a virus and treat disease symptoms. They are especially important tools for diseases that do not have an associated vaccine.
In 2021, there were nearly six times as many approved antivirals as there were in 1995. Not only that, antiviral uses have grown to include the potential prevention and treatment of HIV, COVID-19, and a number of other diseases.
Year | Approved Antivirals in the U.S. | Reasons for Using Antivirals |
---|---|---|
1995 | 10 | 12 |
1996 | 10 | 12 |
1997 | 12 | 12 |
1998 | 13 | 13 |
1999 | 16 | 13 |
2000 | 18 | 13 |
2001 | 19 | 13 |
2002 | 20 | 13 |
2003 | 21 | 13 |
2004 | 21 | 13 |
2005 | 22 | 13 |
2006 | 23 | 13 |
2007 | 24 | 13 |
2008 | 26 | 13 |
2009 | 27 | 14 |
2010 | 27 | 14 |
2011 | 30 | 14 |
2012 | 30 | 15 |
2013 | 34 | 15 |
2014 | 37 | 15 |
2015 | 41 | 16 |
2016 | 44 | 16 |
2017 | 47 | 16 |
2018 | 49 | 17 |
2019 | 49 | 17 |
2020 | 53 | 19 |
2021 | 57 | 20 |
The potential prevention (prophylaxis) and treatment of the same virus are counted as separate uses. Data is cumulative and reflects all antivirals ever approved (and not taken off the market) and all reasons ever approved for using antivirals (that have not been rescinded).
Innovation in virology—and the potential for future developments—is leading to a growing industry.
Expanding Market Opportunities
With opportunities growing and approval times shortening, more companies are entering the market.
Year | Companies Developing Vaccines/Antivirals |
---|---|
1995 | 66 |
1996 | 73 |
1997 | 80 |
1998 | 81 |
1999 | 87 |
2000 | 111 |
2001 | 125 |
2002 | 140 |
2003 | 154 |
2004 | 144 |
2005 | 146 |
2006 | 163 |
2007 | 167 |
2008 | 196 |
2009 | 203 |
2010 | 230 |
2011 | 237 |
2012 | 255 |
2013 | 277 |
2014 | 289 |
2015 | 310 |
2016 | 362 |
2017 | 392 |
2018 | 374 |
2019 | 370 |
2020 | 383 |
2021 | 484 |
Data is a snapshot in time and reflects all companies developing vaccines or antivirals as of the noted year. If a company stops being active in the space or ceases to exist, they are removed from the total.
As they work to develop new vaccines and antivirals, companies are conducting clinical trials for many diseases beyond COVID-19 such as respiratory infections and sepsis.
Virology is leading to a number of groundbreaking technologies and therapies, transforming healthcare along the way.

Explore the MSCI Virology Index now.

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