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 "With increasing social gatherings, greater population mobility, and
large festivals and sports tournaments taking place in the coming
days and weeks, WHO Europe calls for caution," the WHO's European
head Hans Kluge told a press briefing.
"If you choose to travel, do it responsibly. Be conscious of the
risks. Apply common sense and don’t jeopardize hard-earned gains,"
Kluge said.
Over the last two months, new COVID-19 cases, deaths and
hospitalisations have declined, prompting 36 out of 53 countries in
the region to start easing restrictions.
The number of reported COVID-19 infections last week came in at
368,000, a fifth of weekly cases reported during a peak in April
this year, Kluge said.
"We should all recognize the progress made across most countries in
the region, we must also acknowledge that we are by no means out of
danger," he added.
[to top of second column] |
 Kluge said the so-called Delta
variant, which was first identified in India,
was a matter of concern. This variant, he said,
"shows increased transmissibility and some
immune escape is poised to take hold in the
region while many among vulnerable populations,
above the age of 60, remain unprotected."
Countries should learn from the resurgence in
cases seen over the summer last year, even as
vaccinations are being rolled out across the
region.
With just 30% in the region having received
their first dose of vaccines, this would not be
enough to prevent another wave of the virus, he
said.
(Reporting by Nikolaj Skydsgaard and Matthias
Blamont; Editing by Alex Richardson)
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