**New COVID-19 cases have risen for the first time in seven weeks, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).**.
**The increase was driven by a surge in infections in Europe, where cases rose by 10% in the past week.**.
**The WHO said it was too early to say whether this marked the start of a new wave of infections.**.
**However, it warned that the virus was still circulating widely and that people should remain vigilant and continue to take precautions to protect themselves and others.**.
**The WHO’s weekly epidemiological update, published on Tuesday, showed that the number of new COVID-19 cases rose by 4% globally in the week to July 17.**.
**This was the first increase in weekly cases since the week ending May 29.**.
**The increase was driven by a surge in infections in Europe, where cases rose by 10% in the past week.**.
**The WHO said that the increase in cases in Europe was likely due to a number of factors, including the relaxation of public health measures, increased travel, and the spread of new sub-variants of the Omicron variant.**.
**The WHO said it was too early to say whether the increase in cases in Europe marked the start of a new wave of infections.**.
**However, it warned that the virus was still circulating widely and that people should remain vigilant and continue to take precautions to protect themselves and others.**.
**These precautions include wearing a mask in crowded indoor settings, getting vaccinated and boosted, and avoiding contact with people who are sick.**.
**The WHO also called on countries to continue to strengthen their surveillance systems and to be prepared to respond to any resurgence of the virus.**.
**The COVID-19 pandemic has now been going on for more than two years and has caused a great deal of suffering and disruption around the world.**.
**The WHO said that it was important to remain vigilant and to continue to take precautions to protect ourselves and others from the virus.**.
**The WHO also said that it was important to continue to support research into COVID-19 and to work together to develop new tools and strategies to combat the virus.**.
**The COVID-19 pandemic is a global challenge that requires a global response.**.
**The WHO is calling on all countries to work together to end the pandemic and to build a healthier, more resilient world for all.**.
