WHO warns the European government to prepare for another storm of omicron, which is already dominant in many other countries.
While attending a conference meeting, Europe regional director Dr Hans Kluge said, “we can see the omicron storm ” in Vienna.
Within weeks, omicron will make a hold in many countries across the region, straining already overburdened health systems.
According to Kluge, Omicron has been found in at least 38 of the European region’s 53 members, and it is already the dominant variant in the UK, Denmark, and Portugal.
Kluge added that 27000 people succumbed to COVID-19 in the vicinity last week. A total of 2.6 million new cases were reported.
Although these instances comprise all types, not just omicron, he emphasised that the statistic is 40% higher than last year.
“A high number of new COVID-19 infections could result in more hospitalisation and extensive disruption of health systems and other vital services,” he said.
So far, 89% of those in Europe with confirmed omicron infections have experienced symptoms similar to other COVID-19, such as cough, sore throat, and fever, according to Kluge.
In the region, the variant has primarily been propagated by young individuals in their 20s and 30s, he added.
Although much about omicron is unknown, Kluge believes it is more infectious than earlier versions, resulting in “unprecedented transmission rates” in nations with many omicron cases.
Cases of the variation double every 1.5 to 3 days in certain nations.
The European Government should increase their vaccination campaigns and launch some additional measures to slow down the spread of the virus and prepare infrastructure like the health care system.
