All of Europe is now fighting a resurgence of COVID-19, the World Health Organisation warned yesterday.
WHO reported 1.8 million new cases and 24,000 deaths last week across Europe and Central Asia.
WHO regional director Dr Hans Kluge said: “We are once again at the epicentre.”
Echoing concerns expressed in the UK, he said a “rapid increase” amongst the elderly is being seen across the continent, where 75% of deaths involve patients over the age of 65.
Many countries have inadequate vaccine coverage while there has been extensive relaxation of public health measures, he said.
He said: “Preventive measures, when applied correctly and consistently – allow us to go on with our lives, not the opposite. Preventive measures do not deprive people of their freedom, they ensure it. In other words, the best way to avoid lockdowns – which is an absolute last resort – is to apply such measures and keep COVID-19 transmission low.
“As we enter the flu season, we face the prospect of both influenza and COVID-19 circulating. The same preventive measures work against both viruses, and we have effective and safe vaccines for both.”
He added: “The current situation and alarming short-term projections should trigger us to act.”
• The UK yesterday reported 219 deaths from the virus and 37,269 new cases of infection.
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