March 19, 2021
2 mins read

WHO warns against easing curbs too early

Many European countries are currently reinforcing lockdown

Kluge’s warning on Thursday came as the region has been witnessing a rise in Covid-19 transmission rates, while its death toll was inching towards the 1 million mark…reports Asian Lite News

Hans Kluge, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Regional Director for Europe, has warned countries against premature easing of Covid-19 restrictions.

Kluge’s warning on Thursday came as the region has been witnessing a rise in Covid-19 transmission rates, while its death toll was inching towards the 1 million mark, Xinhua news agency.

Addressing a virtual press conference here, Kluge noted that “while 27 countries are currently in a partial or full nationwide lockdown, 21 are gradually easing restrictive measures”.

“Some are doing so based on the assumption that increasing vaccination uptake in countries would immediately lead to an improved epidemiological situation,” he said.

“Such assumptions are too early to make.”

Kluge stressed that with vaccination coverage in the region ranging from less than 1 per cent to 44 per cent, it is “far too early to demonstrate the effect of vaccines on overall Covid-19 hospitalisation and deaths”.

Despite “giant scientific leaps and the introduction of effective tools that give us power over the virus”, the WHO official acknowledged that in parts of the region, such as central Europe, the Balkans and the Baltic states, “case incidence, hospitalizations and deaths are now among the highest in the world”.

According to Kluge, case incidence in Europe continues its increasing trend, with over 1.2 million new cases reported last week.

“Last week, new deaths in the region surpassed 900,000. Every week, more than 20,000 people across the region lose their lives to the virus,” said Kluge.

“The number of people dying from Covid-19 in Europe is higher now than it was this time last year, reflecting the widespread hold this virus has.”

As a consequence of the rising numbers, the regional director called upon states in the region to “remain steadfast in our application of the full range of tools” to fight the coronavirus.

“Let there be no doubt about it, vaccination by itself, particularly given the varied uptake in countries, does not replace public health and social measures,” said Kluge.

Also read:WHO warns of ‘post Covid’ health risks

Previous Story

‘Ram Setu’ shoot begins in Ayodhya

Next Story

Austin meets Modi in New Delhi

Latest from -Top News

Modi 3.0: Power Play Amid a Resurgent Opposition

Ashraf Nehal and Amal Chandra analyse the shifting political landscape in India during the recent winter session of Parliament. They delve into the interplay between the BJP’s diminished majority, an emboldened opposition,

India bids emotional farewell to Manmohan Singh

The nation bid an emotional farewell to the stalwart Congress leader who was fondly known as the ‘Architect of India’s economic reforms’. Former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh was laid to rest

Biden pays tribute to India’s ex-PM Manmohan Singh

Presiden Biden emphasised that “the unprecedented level of cooperation between the United States and India today would not have been possible without the Prime Minister’s strategic vision and political courage.” US President
Go toTop

Don't Miss

‘Surrender to avoid casualties’, Moscow tells Zelensky

Peskov lamented Western attempts to put pressure on Russia over

Garden to remember London’s Covid victims

“This new public garden is a lasting living memorial in