- Last week, the number of deaths reported in Europe increased by 11%.
- To date, approximately 1.3 million Covid deaths have been registered in the region.
- The highly circulated Delta variant is circulating in Europe, especially among unvaccinated people.
The World Health Organization warned on Monday that by December 1st, 236,000 people in Europe may die from the new crown virus, which warned of the rising number of infections on the continent and stagnant vaccination rates.
With the prevalence of the highly disseminated Delta variant, the infection rate in countries in the region is rising, especially among the unvaccinated populations.
Poorer countries, especially those in the Balkans, the Caucasus, and Central Asia, have been hit hardest and the number of deaths has increased.
Hans Kruger, WHO European Director, said:
Last week, the number of deaths in the region increased by 11%-a reliable prediction is that by December 1st, there will be 236,000 deaths in Europe.
To date, approximately 1.3 million Covid deaths have been registered in Europe.
Kruger said that of the 53 member states of WHO in Europe, 33 member states had an incidence rate of more than 10% in the past two weeks. Most are in poorer countries.
The high transmission rate across the African continent “is deeply worrying, especially considering the low vaccination rates of key populations in some countries.”
Kruger said the delta variant is part of the reason, as is the “over relaxation” of restrictions and measures and the surge in summer travel.
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Although about half of the people in the WHO European region have been fully vaccinated, the vaccination rate in the region has slowed.
“In the past six weeks, it has dropped by 14% due to the lack of access to vaccines in some countries and the lack of vaccine acceptance in other countries.”
In low-income and low-middle-income countries in Europe, only 6% of people are fully vaccinated, while some countries have successfully vaccinated only one in ten health professionals.
“The stagnation of vaccine use in our region is a serious concern,” Kruger said, urging countries to “increase production, share doses and improve access.”
-Teacher vaccine-
Kruger emphasized that as many places are relaxing public health and social measures, “the public’s vaccination acceptance is of the utmost importance.”
“Vaccine suspicion and scientific denial have prevented us from stabilizing this crisis. It has no meaning and is not good for anyone.”
Earlier Monday, WHO and UNICEF urged European countries to make teachers a priority group for vaccination so that schools can remain open throughout the pandemic.
As schools reopen after the summer break, these institutions stated that despite the spread of Delta variants, “it is vital that classroom learning continues to be uninterrupted.”
Kruger said: “This is essential for children’s education, mental health and social skills, and for schools to help our children become happy and productive members of society.”
He added: “The pandemic has caused the most catastrophic damage in history.”
These agencies urge countries to vaccinate children over 12 years of age whose underlying diseases put them at greater risk of severe Covid-19.
It also reviewed the importance of measures to improve the school environment during the pandemic, including improving ventilation, reducing class sizes, maintaining social distancing, and conducting regular Covid testing for children and staff.
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