Covid, WHO Europe: “Delta variant ready to take hold”

“The new variant of concern Delta” of Sars-CoV-2, first identified in India, “shows greater transmissibility and some immune leakage” and is “ready to take hold, while” still today “in many among vulnerable populations over the age of 60 remain unprotected “by the vaccine. This was underlined by Hans Kluge, director of the Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO) for Europe, during the usual update on the Covid situation in the area. “We have been in a” similar phase “before. Over the past summer, cases have gradually increased in the younger age groups, then moved on to the older ones, contributing to a devastating recovery, lockdown and loss of life. , in the fall and winter of 2020. Let’s not repeat this mistake, “Kluge asked. REOPENINGS – “As of this week, some 36 out of 53 countries in the European Region are easing restrictions following the decline in Covid cases. While we should all recognize the progress made in most countries in the area, we must also recognize that not we are completely out of danger “is the warning launched by Kluge. “The notification rates of Covid cases – he warned – show throughout the Region that the widespread community transmission of the virus continues. With the increase in social gatherings, greater mobility of the population and large festivals and sports tournaments to be held in the next days and weeks, WHO Europe calls for caution “. DEATHS – “For the first time since last autumn, last week the new Covid deaths fell below 10 thousand in the European Region”, where “to date we have 55 million confirmed cases and 1.2 million deaths. % of reported cases globally and 31% of all deaths “is the picture drawn by the director of the Regional Office of the World Health Organization for Europe. “Overall, for two consecutive months we have seen a decline in cases, hospitalizations and deaths. A total of 368,000 new cases were reported last week, a fifth of the weekly cases reported during the recent peak in Europe in April. of this year”. VACCINATIONS – “In 6 months, more than 400 million doses of Covid vaccines have been administered in the European Region. This summer, however, vaccination must take place at a much faster pace”, because “to date 30% of people in the area received at least one dose and 17% completed their cycle, and even though we have come far, we have not made it far enough. Vaccination coverage is far from sufficient to protect the European Region from a “resurgence of the epidemic,” is the warning launched by Hans Kluge. “The distance to cover before reaching at least 80% coverage of the adult population is still considerable – he reiterated – We should also remember that being vaccinated does not automatically prevent us from getting sick or spreading the virus . Vaccination, however, reduces the possibility of becoming seriously ill or dying from Covid. I therefore urge you to vaccinate yourself when it is your turn “, is the appeal,” and to quickly achieve high prevalence vaccine in the most vulnerable populations. In this way, we save lives and livelihoods and end the pandemic sooner. “CAMPAIGN WITH UNICEF -” People are really looking forward to summer. “But” let’s not repeat the same mistakes. “For WHO Europe must be this is the mantra for the summer to come. The regional office of the UN Health Agency also wanted to reiterate it with a campaign launched just today with Unicef, for a safe summer. Mission: “Encourage everyone to exercise caution , reduce risks and protect yourself from Covid, while enjoying the summer, “explained Kluge.” If you choose to travel, do it responsibly. Be aware of the risks. Use common sense and don’t jeopardize hard-earned money. Remember the anti-contagion rules: wash your hands often, keep your distance, choose outdoor settings and wear a mask “, is the renewed appeal by the director of the Regional Office of the World Health Organization for Europe.” Closed, confined or crowded situations will put you at greater risk “. While” with the increase in vaccination coverage – he warned – we must firmly adhere to protective measures to suppress the virus. This must happen even if the cases decrease. A combination of public health measures and vaccination, neither alone, is the way out of this pandemic. “In closing, Kluge wanted to recall the precedent of 2020:” Cases have decreased when we are entered the summer period “, but then there was a new wave of Covid. So” it is not the time to reduce the public health response “to the virus.” If we want to avoid another resumption “of the pandemic” after the summer , we must consider the lessons of last year: act quickly on the signs of increase in cases, expanding testing and sequencing; intensifying contact tracing. “The key is to” enjoy the summer but do it safely. ”