World Health Organization (WHO) “very concerned.” “For the spread of Covid-19 in Europe as the continent battles a new wave of infections. In an interview with the, Regional Director Dr. Hans Kluge, another 500,000 deaths could be recorded in March if no immediate action was taken.
Dr. Kluge said introducing measures like wearing masks could help immediately. The warning comes as several countries report high infection numbers and introduce complete and partial blockades.
Dr. Kluge said factors such as winter, inadequate vaccination, and the dominance of the more portable delta region were responsible for the spread. He called for increased vaccine uptake and the adoption of essential public health measures and new medical treatments to combat the surge.
“Covid-19 is once again the number one killer in our region,” he told the. Adding that “we know what needs to be done” to fight the disease.
Dr. Kluge said mandatory vaccination should be seen as a “last resort” but “very timely” to hold a “legal and social debate” on the issue.
“Before that, there were other ways, such as the absence of Covid,” he said, adding. It was not a restriction on freedom, but an instrument for safeguarding our freedoms. On Friday, Austria became the first European country to announce that vaccination against Covid-19 would be required by law. The newly rules will come into effect in February. The announcement of the new national blockade comes in response to the record number of cases and low vaccination rates.
Many other European countries have also imposed new measures as cases arise. Countries including the Czech Republic also Slovakia have also announced new restrictions on unvaccinated people. With record numbers of infections across the continent.
In Rotterdam, the Netherlands, violent riots broke out at night over the new Covid-19 measures. Hundreds of protesters gathered to show their anger at the government’s plans for further restrictions and a ban on New Year’s Eve fireworks. Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn described the situation as a “national emergency” and rejected a new national blockade.
The UK recorded 44,242 new coronavirus cases on Friday.
The government has consistently stated that there are no plans to block it again. Still, it has announced plans to introduce additional Covid measures to protect the NHS – known as Plan B – in the UK. Including mandatory Covid clearance for some indoor and facial compulsory spaces. Some of the covers include home settings and tips for working from home.