WHO predicts 700,000 more pandemic deaths by next spring

THE World Health Organisation’s Europe office says projections show that its 53-country region could face another 700,000 deaths in the coronavirus pandemic by next spring, topping two million in total.

WHO Europe, which is based in Copenhagen, Denmark, also cited growing evidence of a decline in protection against infection and mild disease through vaccines, and said a booster dose should be given as a priority to the most vulnerable populations – including people with weakened immune systems – as well as people over 60 and healthcare workers.

The United Nations health agency’s international headquarters in Geneva, however, has repeatedly called for a moratorium on the use of boosters until the end of the year so that doses can be made available for developing countries, many of which have faced a severe lack of Covid-19 vaccines compared with the rich world.

WHO Europe called on people to get vaccinated, respect proper hygiene and practise social distancing to help stop the spread of the virus. “Today, the Covid-19 situation across Europe and central Asia is very serious. We face a challenging winter ahead, but we should not be without hope, because all of us – governments, health authorities, individuals – can take decisive action to stabilise the pandemic,” said Dr Hans Kluge, regional director for WHO Europe.

The European region, which stretches deep into central Asia, reported that deaths due to Covid-19 rose to nearly 4,200 per day last week – a doubling of levels recorded at the end of September. Cumulative deaths have now reached 1.5 million in the region. The three factors driving the increase are the highly transmissible Delta variant of the virus, an easing in some places of restrictive measures such as mask-wearing and physical distancing, and the fact that many Europeans remain unvaccinated, WHO Europe said.