WHO Warns of 700,000 More COVID-19 Deaths in Europe by March

Nov. 24, 2021 — Countries throughout Europe are dealing with one other surge in coronavirus circumstances, which may result in one other 700,000 deaths by March 1 if present tendencies proceed, the WHO introduced on Tuesday.

More than 1.5 million individuals have already died from COVID-19 within the 53 international locations that make up the World Health Organization’s European area. That means the dying toll may prime 2.2 million by early 2022.

Europe “remains firmly in the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic,” the WHO stated, noting that the coronavirus is the main explanation for dying throughout Europe and Central Asia. Between now and March, intensive care items in 49 of the 53 international locations will face “high or extreme stress.”

The WHO reported greater than 2.4 million new circumstances throughout the area final week, which made up 67% of all COVID-19 circumstances worldwide throughout that point. Deaths elevated to just about 4,200 per day, doubling the two,100 day by day deaths reported on the finish of September.

France reported greater than 30,000 new COVID-19 infections on Tuesday, marking the primary time since August that the nation had so many circumstances in 24 hours, in line with Reuters. Daily circumstances are up 54%, in comparison with final week, and the week-over-week enhance has been round 50% for 11 days straight.

“That is a very major increase in the infection rate, which shows that we really are, unfortunately, in a fifth wave of the epidemic,” Olivier Veran, the nation’s well being minister, informed lawmakers on Tuesday.

Germany additionally set a pandemic file on Monday with a 7-day common of greater than 51,000 day by day new circumstances, in line with CNBC. Russia reported a file excessive of greater than 1,200 day by day deaths for the week that ended Monday.

The WHO stated the newest wave is being fueled by a number of issues: the extra contagious Delta variant, individuals transferring indoors on account of colder climate, the easing of restrictions, and gradual vaccine uptake in some international locations.

About 53% of the inhabitants is absolutely vaccinated within the WHO’s European area, however charges range from 10% to greater than 80% throughout international locations. Many jap international locations have decrease charges, with 24% of the inhabitants absolutely vaccinated in Bulgaria, as in comparison with about 87% in Portugal, 78% in Demark, 71% in Germany, and 65% in Austria.

“As we approach the end of 2021, let’s do everything we can by getting vaccinated and taking personal protective measures to avoid the last resort of lockdowns and school closures,” Hans Kluge, WHO’s regional director for Europe, stated within the WHO assertion.

Some international locations are placing strict measures into place once more to comprise the unfold of the virus, which has sparked protests, in line with The New York Times. On Monday, Austria returned to lockdown for at the least 10 days, closing retailers, eating places, and vacation markets. The Netherlands additionally started a partial lockdown through the weekend, and Germany might announce new restrictions this week.

In addition, extra international locations are approving booster photographs for absolutely vaccinated individuals, together with France, Germany, and Greece, in line with the BBC. More proof is exhibiting that vaccine safety is waning and breakthrough circumstances have gotten extra frequent, in line with the WHO, which inspired international locations to approve booster doses for weak teams, well being care employees, and folks over age 60.

Europe and Central Asia face “a challenging winter ahead,” Kluge stated. He known as for a “vaccine plus” method, which incorporates getting vaccinated, following bodily distancing tips, and sporting masks.

Face masks scale back coronavirus transmission by 53%, the WHO stated, which may forestall greater than 160,000 deaths by March 1.

The U.S. State Department has responded to the European surge by including Denmark and Germany to its “Do Not Travel” checklist, which is the highest-risk class for journey, in line with The Washington Post.

The Level 4 designation implies that each the CDC and State Department advocate in opposition to touring to these international locations, even when persons are vaccinated. Other European international locations had been added to the Level 4 checklist final week, together with the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Iceland.