COVID surge in Europe ‘deeply worrying’ as vaccination slows, WHO says

Follow 9News Nigeria On Social Media

Social sharing

The high transmission rate of COVID-19 across Europe is “deeply worrying,” the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Monday, calling for vaccination to be ramped up.

Dr Hans Kluge, regional director of WHO Europe, told reporters that as summer comes to an end, the epidemiological picture across the 53 countries it monitors “is mixed” with a “greater than 10% increase in 14-day case incidence.”

“This high transmission is deeply worrying, particularly in the light of low vaccination uptake in priority populations in a number of countries,” he said.

Kluge said that “several countries are starting to observe an increased burden on hospitals” and that “a particularly steep increase in cases” is being observed in the Balkans, the Caucasus, and the Central Asian countries.

The last week also saw an “11% increase in the number of deaths in the region.”

So far, the region has recorded more than 64 million confirmed cases and 1.3 million deaths. A further 236,000 people could lose their lives to the pandemic across Europe by December 1, WHO confirmed.

The increase in cases and deaths is being blamed on three factors: the Delta variant, now dominant in 15 countries; the easing of public health measures; and the seasonal surge in travel.

The European office of the UN’s health agency stressed that “vaccines are the path towards reopening societies” but flagged that “in the past six weeks, vaccination uptake has slowed down.”

This has been attributed to “insufficient production, insufficient access and insufficient vaccine acceptance.”

Only 6% of people in the region’s lower and lower-middle-income countries are fully vaccinated with only one in ten healthcare professionals having completed a full vaccination course in some countries.

Kluge also emphasised that “vaccine skepticism and science denial is holding us back from stabilising this crisis” as slow vaccine uptake could boost cases and deaths and lead to the emergence of new variants of concern.

The agency called on authorities to look at vaccination data by population groups and to establish “tailored interventions at community level to boost vaccine uptake.”

The end of the summer in Europe also means the beginning of a new school year. Kluge called for schools to be reopened, underlining how their closure had impacted children’s mental health and future livelihood.

“Our children have suffered greatly over the past 20 months, especially those who were already vulnerable and or could not benefit from digital ways of teaching. Unlike a year ago, we are now in a position to keep them safe,” he said.

He urged nations to implement vaccination strategies for teachers, other school personnel and children over the age of 12, especially if they have underlying conditions.

He also advised schools to take other measures including social distancing, masks, and regular testing of staff and pupils.

Source

Leave your comment on this post

THE ROTTEN FISH: CAN OF WORMS OPENED OF APC & TINUBU'S GOVERNMENT OVER NIGERIA'S ECONOMIC DOWNTURN

WATCH THE CRITICAL ANALYSIS AND KNOW THE RESPONSIBLE PARTIES TO BLAME FOR NIGERIA'S ECONOMIC CHALLENGES, WHILE CITIZENS ENDURE SEVERE HARDSHIPS.

Watch this episode of ISSUES IN THE NEWS on 9News Nigeria featuring Peter Obi's Special Adviser, Dr Katch Ononuju, 9News Nigeria Publisher, Obinna Ejianya and Tinubu Support Group Leader, McHezekiah Eherechi

The economic crisis and hardship in Nigeria are parts of the discussion.


Watch, leave your comments, and share to create more awareness on this issue.


#9NewsNigeria #Nigeria #issuesInTheNews #politics #tinubu THE ROTTEN FISH: CAN OF WORMS OPENED ...
DON'T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE AND LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS FOR SUBSEQUENT UPDATES
#9newsnigeria #economia #economy #nigeria #government @9newsng
www.9newsng.com

Leave your comment

Click on the link below or Scan the QR Code to join the 9News Nigeria WhatsApp Channel

9News Nigeria Investigative Reports WhatsApp Channel
9News Nigeria Investigative Reports WhatsApp Channel
About 9News Nigeria 13308 Articles
9News Nigeria is Nigeria's favourite news source. For Authentic, Unbiased News on Politics, Business, Sports, Technology, Entertainment and Lifestyles, Health, Nollywood, Crime and Investigations, Family and Relationships, Inspirations .. and much more. For Latest News from Africa and around the world, 9News Nigeria is your best source. WhatsApp +2348115805632 Email: info@9newsng.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/9NewsNG | Twitter/Instagram: @9newsng

Be the first to comment

Leave your comment