The WHO (World Health Organization) warned this Tuesday (19) of a new wave of coronavirus in Europe, which is experiencing a situation similar to that experienced in the northern hemisphere in summer 2021, with almost 3,000 deaths per week from the disease , and urged governments to take action to prepare for the challenge of the coming autumn and winter.
“It is now very clear that we are in a situation similar to that of last summer,” said WHO Regional Office director in Europe Hans Henri P. Kluge in a statement, stressing that this time it was different be that the variant Omikron prevails.
“As cases increase, we are also seeing an increase in hospital admissions, which will only increase in the autumn and winter months when schools reopen, people return from holidays and social interaction shifts indoors as the weather approaches . cold,” he added.
In his opinion, this prospect is a “major challenge for health workers in all countries, which have already been under enormous pressure to cope with recurring crises since 2020”.
“Consider the current situation: the European region saw a tripling of new Covid19 cases in the last six weeks, with almost 3 million more last week, which is almost half of all cases worldwide,” he warned.
“While Covid19 hospitalization rates have doubled over the same period, ICU admissions have so far remained relatively low. However, as infection rates continue to rise in older age groups, there are still around 3,000 deaths from Covid19 in Europe every week. ” he said.
The strategy recommended by WHO includes increasing vaccination coverage, giving a second booster dose to people over five years of age whose immunity and environment are compromised, and considering a second booster dose for certain risk groups for at least three months after your last dose.
WHO recalls the need to encourage face mask use indoors and on public transport, to ventilate crowded public spaces and to implement strict treatment protocols for those at risk of developing serious illness.
WHO calls for “prioritizing” contact tracing and quarantine measures for highrisk environments, as recommended by the organization around the world, and promoting personal protective measures (mask use, ventilation, hand washing and vaccination). .