Around of 700,000 people could die between now and the spring of covid-19 in Europe if the current trend of contagion continues, as the regional office of the World Health Organization (who)
The health institution’s forecasts suggest that 25 countries of the European region is at risk of suffering lack of beds in hospitals and 49 would reach a situation of high stress or extreme in ICU between now and March.
“To live with this virus and live our daily lives, we need an approach that goes beyond the vaccine. This means receiving standard doses and a booster dose if applicable, but also incorporating preventive measures into our routines, “said the director of WHO-Europe in a statement. Hans Kluge.
The countries with the highest number of covid-19 positives. / EFE / WHO
Among them, he cites the use of masks indoors, hand hygiene, ventilation of spaces, keeping distance or coughing at the elbow, which would help “avoid unnecessary tragedies and loss of life”, in addition to limiting upheavals in society.
WHO also advocates combining these measures with public health interventions such as introducing the covid passport, isolating those with symptoms, testing and tracing, and quarantine.
uptrend
The European region remains under “firm control” of the pandemic, explains this organization: last week, the number of daily deaths up to 4,200 and the 1.5 million deaths have been surpassed since the start of the pandemic, which would rise to 2.2 million accumulated in the spring, according to current projections.
Covid-19 is now the leading cause of death in the European region
According to WHO models, covid-19 is currently the main cause of death in the European region. O high transmission It is due to several factors: the dominance of the delta variant, the lifting of restrictions, the drop in temperatures and the consequent increase in internal agglomerations and the large number of people who have not yet been vaccinated.
Big differences in vaccination
More than 1 billion doses have already been provided in the region, where 53.5% of the total population already completed the guideline; But this number hides large differences between countries: while some do not reach 10%, others exceed 80%.
53.5% of the total population completed the standard, but there are big differences between countries: while some do not reach 10%, others exceed 80%
The organization recalled that vaccines are “vital” to prevent serious illnesses and deaths, and that it is necessary to increase immunization ratesas the evidence points to the fact that the protection they provide is waning.
“In this context, a booster dose should be given to the most vulnerable, including immunosuppressants, as a priority. Depending on the national context of dose availability and the covid-19 epidemic, countries should also consider giving it to people over 60 years of age and health care personnel,” they emphasized.
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