Delta variant: WHO calculated how many people will die from covid in Europe until December | Infections have increased in most countries

The ghost of the Delta variant keep on going Europe and, in the last two weeks, there has been a 10% increase in infections in 33 of the continent’s 53 countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) has found the rebound in covid-19 cases “very worrying” and calculated that the pandemic would cause 236,000 more deaths by December 1.

The WHO attributes the increase in infections to a multiplicity of factors: the greater presence of the Delta variant, which is more contagious, adds the relaxation of restrictions and increased travel. This combo attached to low vaccination rate in priority groups in some countries there is a need to promote the vaccination process on the continent.

The recipe against the Delta variant: vaccination and chin straps

“We must be firm in maintaining the multiple lines of protection, including vaccination and masks. Vaccines are the way to reopen societies and stabilize economies», Declared the director of WHO-Europe, Hans kluge, which focused on the application of vaccines.

In this sense, Kluge pointed out that almost half of the population from the WHO European region have completed the vaccination, but regretted that in the past six weeks the process was delayed due to lack of access to vaccines in some countries and lack of acceptance in others.

Kluge warned that skepticism about vaccines and denial of science “prevent stabilizing this crisis”. “It is unnecessary and is not good for anyone,” said the WHO expert and called for greater public participation, “essential for the success of the coronavirus vaccination”.

At the same time, the Belgian doctor said that “Vaccination is a right but also a responsibility”, and the stagnation of vaccine uptake “is a source of serious concern”, especially now that social and public health measures are relaxed in many countries.

Scope of vaccination

The country with the largest amount of its population vaccinated with at least one dose is Spain with 78%. It is followed by France with 71%, the United Kingdom and Italy with 70% and Germany with 64%. Globally, the European Union reaches 64% of its population with a single applied dose. On this side of the Atlantic, Argentina reached 62.4% and Brazil 55.5%, overtaking the United States at 60.6%.

WHO urged countries with excess vaccines to share them with others, with particular attention to those from Eastern Europe and Africa, but also championed the importance of giving a booster dose to at-risk groups. “A third dose is not a fancy reminder taken on someone waiting for the first. It is a way to ensure the safety of the most vulnerable, ”he said. Kluge.

The WHO representative in Europe was cautious, adding that there is still not enough evidence on the booster dose, although more and more studies point to its effectiveness for groups at risk. .

The epidemiological situation in Europe

Of the 53 countries that make up the WHO European region, 33 have seen a 10% increase in incidence over the past 14 days and several are seeing an increase in hospital admissions and deaths, which could s ‘rise to 236,000 by December, according to the latest projection.

Since the start of the pandemic Europe has recorded 64 million cases and 1.3 million deaths, according to the latest WHO figures. During the first wave of covid-19, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom were among the countries hardest hit by the virus. “There is a clear need to increase production, share doses and improve access to vaccines in Member States in order to be able to offer a full suite of vaccines to the population,” said Kluge.

The exception of Denmark

The head of WHO-Europe stressed the importance for national authorities not to rush to lift restrictions and examined the case of Denmark, or masks are not mandatory in any context for weeks and whose government will lift the remaining restrictions on the 10th of this month.

Kluge alluded to the fact that this country, in which just over 71% of the total population has completed the full dose program, is “a champion of vaccine acceptance” and has the highest level of population dependent on vaccination. The public health expert also referred to the strategy of massive testing and test sequencing that Danish health authorities have been following for months as another key.

Tips for schools

On the other hand, Iand WHO in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) reiterated its call on European governments to open schools so that children can continue to attend face-to-face classes during the 2021-2022 school year, to which he recommended applying preventive measures to minimize the risk of contagion of the coronavirus.

Among other measures, WHO mentions offering teachers and other staff the opportunity to be vaccinated, which they should also do. students over twelve who suffer from any disease or condition that makes them particularly vulnerable to contracting covid-19.

“Our children have suffered a lot over the past twenty monthsespecially those who were vulnerable or could not benefit from digital learning. Unlike a year ago, we are now able to protect them.», He said in this regard. Kluge.