WHO says Europe, Central Asia could see 5 lakhs COVID deaths by Feb 2022
The World Health Organization (WHO) reportedly warned about the possibility of 500,000 people dying of COVID-19 in Europe and Central Asia by February 2022.
- Nov 05, 2021,
- Updated Nov 05, 2021, 11:20 PM IST
The World Health Organization (WHO) reportedly warned about the possibility of 500,000 people dying of COVID-19 in Europe and Central Asia by February 2022.
"According to one reliable projection, if we stay on this trajectory, we could see another half a million #COVID-19 deaths in the Region by the first of February next year...", tweeted WHO.
The warning comes after the virus transmission rates have increased across the region.
The current pace of transmission across the 53 countries of the European Region, is of grave concern. COVID-19 cases are once again approaching record levels – with the more transmissible Delta variant continuing to dominate transmission across Europe and central Asia, stated WHO.
"Last week with nearly 1.8 million new cases and 24,000 new deaths reported, Europe and central Asia saw a 6% increase & 12% increase respectively, as compared to the previous week. Over the past 4 weeks Europe has seen a greater than 55% increase in new COVID-19 cases, We are, once again, at the epicenter", it said further.
The WHO this week reported COVID-19 case numbers had risen in Europe for a fifth consecutive week, with increases observed across "all age groups".
The infection rate is now the highest in the world, at 192 new cases per 100,000 people.
Insufficient vaccination coverage, and the relaxation of public health and social measures, Dr Kluge said, were to blame for the resurgence.