WHO announced new COVID-19 wave in Europe
A new coronavirus wave has begun in Europe, caused by variants of the Omicron strain
Rubryka reports this, referring to the statement of the head of the European Bureau of the World Health Organization (WHO), Hans Kluge.
As he noted, countries should promptly take measures related to vaccination and wearing masks.
"This time last year, the WHO EDB was talking about a new COVID-19 wave sweeping across the region. It was triggered by the Delta variant due to the lifting of the restrictions and increased social contact.
It is quite clear now that we are in a situation similar to last summer," Kluge said.
He emphasized that the new wave of COVID-19 is being spread by the Omicron variant, in particular BA.2 and BA.5.
At the same time, each dominant line shows clear transmission advantages compared to previously circulating viruses.
"With the increase in cases, we are also seeing an increase in hospitalizations, which will increase as schools reopen, and people return from vacations.
And therefore, social contacts will become more frequent," said Kluge.
The head of the WHO European Bureau emphasized that this forecast is a huge problem for medical workers worldwide.
After all, they are already under enormous pressure from the fight against incessant crises since 2020.
According to WHO, Europe has seen a tripling of new COVID-19 cases over the past 6 weeks.
At the same time, about 3 million new cases were registered last week. It is almost half of all new cases of the disease worldwide.
While hospitalization rates due to COVID-19 have doubled over the same period, intensive care unit hospitalizations have remained relatively low.
However, as infection rates in the elderly continue to rise, around 3,000 people die from COVID-19 weekly in Europe.
Against this background, the WHO European Regional Office published the autumn-winter strategy for combating COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses.
The strategy, in particular, provides for:
- increasing vaccination coverage of the population,
- "stimulating the wearing of masks indoors and in public transport"
- increased ventilation of closed rooms.
We will remind you that the World Health Organization recently called on the governments of all countries to return the mask regime as the death toll continues to rise.
У світі зафіксували понад 900 випадків гепатиту невідомого походження у дітей, - ВООЗ
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