WHO warns Europe could see half a million Covid deaths by February

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned, that Europe could see half a million Covid deaths by February as cases soar across the continent. At a press conference WHO Europe head Hans Kluge blamed insufficient vaccine take-up for the rise.

 

The rate of vaccination has slowed across the continent in recent months. While some 80% of people in Spain are double jabbed, in Germany it is as low as 66% - and far lower in some Eastern European



countries. Only 32% of Russians were fully vaccinated by October 2021. 

Mr Kluge also blamed a relaxation of public health measures for rising infections in the WHO's European region, which covers 53 countries including parts of Central Asia. Over the past four weeks cases across Europe had soared over 55%, and Europe's experience is a warning shot for the world, WHO has observed.