Europe remains the world's largest source of new COVID-19 cases and deaths, according to the World Health Organization.
Meanwhile, however, the organization says the virus pandemic had "slowed down" in the past week although death rates continued to rise - with more than 67,000 new deaths reported.
The U.N. health agency said Africa reported the highest increase in new cases and deaths, driven by South Africa, Algeria and Kenya.
In Asia, the report said Japan reported the largest number of daily cases since the beginning of the outbreak - with more than 2,000 reported every day for five consecutive days: a 41% increase from the previous week. Myanmar reported a 74% jump in cases last week with more than 11,000 new cases and a 36% increase in deaths at 188.
Europe accounted for 17.5 million of the world's 59.5 million confirmed cases - the second most after the Americas. Europe had the most current infections over the past week.
The organization said Europe and its 53 countries accounted for 44% of new world cases and 49% of new deaths over the past week.
The number of deaths is still rising with 32,684 reported over the past seven days. On the other hand, the number of new cases in Europe is showing a decline.
Despite this, the organization said Europe "remains the largest contributor to new cases and new deaths in the past seven days."
In the Americas there were 1.6 million new cases. This represents a jump of 11% over the previous week, according to the organization. The Americas also posted 22,005 new deaths, up 15% on the previous week.
Most of the new fatalities were in the U.S. - which reported more than 1.1 new million cases, a 14% increase from the previous week. Deaths in the U.S. in that period jumped 23% to 9,918. The Americas region continues to account for the largest proportion of cumulative cases and deaths, according to the organization.
The steady rise in cases and deaths in Europe and the Americas is in contrast to a slowing in the overall world new cases over the past week. There were 4 million cases recorded over the past week. Deaths, however, continue to increase with more than 67,000 reported worldwide.
In late October, the organization said COVID-19 outbreaks in Europe had become "concerning." It said Europe continued to report a "rapid increase in cases and deaths." New cases jumped 25% from Oct. 13 to Oct. 20.
The organization said there was ineffective quarantining of those exposed to confirmed COVID-19 patients. This failure was a significant reason for the second wave of infections.
Quarantining works, according to organization executive director of health emergencies Dr. Mike Ryan - but the U.S. and Europe weren't doing enough of it.
"I do not believe that has occurred systematically anywhere, and particularly in countries that are experiencing large increases now," Ryan said. "If you know yourself to be having been in contact with a case, you should be in full quarantine, at home, without contact with other people."
