BBC
EUROPE is once again โat the epicentreโ of the Covid pandemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned, as cases soar across the continent.
At a press conference WHO Europe head Hans Kluge said the continent could see half a million more deaths by February.
While some 80% of people in Spain are double jabbed, that number is lower in France and Germany โ at 68% and 66% respectively โ and lower still in some central and eastern European countries. Only 32% of Russians were fully vaccinated by October 2021.
Kluge also blamed a relaxation of public health measures for rising infections in the WHOโs European region, which covers 53 countries including parts of Central Asia. So far the WHO has recorded 1,4 million deaths across the region.
The WHOโs technical lead on Covid-19, Maria Van Kerkhove, said over the past four weeks cases across Europe had soared over 55%, despite an โample supply of vaccines and toolsโ, and colleague Dr Mike Ryan said Europeโs experience was a โwarning shot for the worldโ.
It came as Germany recorded almost 34 000 daily Covid cases in the past 24 hours, a record rise.
While the Covid numbers in Germany are below the UKโs latest daily case numbers of more than 37 000, public health officials are worried that a fourth wave of infection could lead to a large number of deaths and pressure on the health system. In the past 24 hours 165 deaths have been recorded, up from 126 a week ago.
Lothar Wieler of Germanyโs RKI institute spoke of terrifying numbers. โIf we donโt take counter-measures now, this fourth wave will bring yet more suffering,โ he said. Among the many Germans who have not been vaccinated are more than three million over-60s, seen at particular risk.
Covid passes are set to stay as Europe heads for winter
But as Hans Kluge pointed out, the surge in cases is not confined to Germany.
The most dramatic rises in fatalities have been in the past week in Russia, where more than 8,100 deaths were recorded, and Ukraine, with 3,800 deaths. Both countries have very low rates of vaccination and Ukraine announced a record 27,377 new cases in the past 24 hours.
