In line with the World Well being Group, Europe noticed greater than 7 million new instances of the COVID-19 Omicron variant through the first week of January alone, greater than doubling in simply two weeks.
In a press convention Tuesday, WHO Europe director Dr. Hans Kluge warned the window to shut the nation and shield towards the collapse of the healthcare system is closing as 26 international locations in its area now report greater than 1 p.c of their populations are presently testing optimistic for COVID-19.
"Omicron strikes sooner and wider than any (earlier) variant we now have seen," he stated.
To assist curve the rising spike, he referred to as for international locations to implement masks mandates, prioritize booster vaccinations for the at-risk populations and well being care staff.
A number of European international locations, together with Italy, Germany and Austria, carried out new restrictions earlier this week to assist mitigate the latest Omicron surge. Prime Minister Boris Johnson even added a masks mandate for college students returning to highschool to assist decrease the unfold of the coronavirus variant. Nonetheless, European hospitals are already experiencing employees shortages and are struggling to maintain up with the inflow of optimistic COVID sufferers.
To mitigate employees shortages, French officers lately permitted totally vaccinated however contaminated well being care staff to forgo the quarantine if they're experiencing little to no signs.
In line with the WHO European dashboard, the area reported greater than 8 million new instances through the previous week, whereas international locations like the UK noticed a 74 p.c spike and France which has a 249 p.c enhance.
Kluge cited estimates from the Institute of Well being Metrics on the College of Washington that projected half of the inhabitants in Western Europe will probably be contaminated with COVID-19 within the subsequent six to eight weeks.
WHO's Geneva headquarters has beforehand pleaded with wealthy international locations to not provide booster doses and donate them as an alternative to poorer international locations the place susceptible teams have but to be immunized.
Kluge stated he was significantly involved that as Omicron strikes east throughout the European continent, the variant will take a a lot larger toll on international locations with decrease vaccination protection charges. In Denmark, he famous the coronavirus hospitalization fee was six instances larger in individuals who weren't vaccinated in comparison with those that had been immunized.
Europe has been significantly laborious hit by the COVID pandemic with numerous instances from the fast-spreading Omicron variant, which is straining the well being care programs throughout the continent.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
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