COVID resurgence in Europe likely around the corner, says WHO, ECDC
Europe has seen COVID infections rise 8% from the prior week, signaling another possible wave of infections
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Another wave of COVID-19 infections may have begun in Europe as cases begin to tick up across the region, the World Health Organization and European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) said on Wednesday.
"Although we are not where we were one year ago, it is clear that the COVID-19 pandemic is still not over," WHO's Europe director, Hans Kluge, and ECDC's director, Andrea Ammon, said in a joint statement.
"We are unfortunately seeing indicators rising again in Europe, suggesting that another wave of infections has begun."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}COVID-19: EUROPE CONSIDERS ACCEPTING THE VIRUS
WHO's region-wise data showed that only Europe recorded a rise in COVID-19 cases in the week ended Oct. 2, clocking an increase of 8% from the prior week.
Public health experts in Europe are urging citizens to get vaccinated for both the flu and COVID as winter and another possible wave of COVID approaches. Pictured: A woman is seen wearing a mask while walking down a sidewalk in Frankfurt, Germany, on May 23, 2021. (REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)
Public health experts have warned that vaccine fatigue and confusion over available vaccines will likely limit booster uptake in the region.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Millions of people across Europe remain unvaccinated against COVID-19, the WHO and ECDC noted.
They urged European countries to administer both flu and COVID-19 vaccines ahead of an expected surge in cases of seasonal influenza.
HIT BY COVID-19, EU POPULATION SHRINKS FOR SECOND YEAR RUNNING
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"There was no time to lose," the WHO and ECDC said, adding that vulnerable groups, including people over 60 years old, pregnant women and those with co-morbidities, should get vaccinated against both influenza and COVID-19.