The Omicron variant of the coronavirus could become dominant in Europe as the “tidal wave” of infections spreads eastwards, the World Health Organization (WHO) regional director has warned for Europe, Hans Kluge.
“I am also strongly concerned that with the progression of the variant eastward, we still have to expect to see the full impact (of the virus) …. We will see a more severe impact of the disease in unvaccinated, “Kluge said at an online press conference Tuesday.
According to the WHO official, the Omicron variant is currently spreading to the Balkans and is already present in 50 of the 53 countries making up the region of Europe and Central Asia.
“At this rate, the Institute for the Measurement and Evaluation of Health (IMHE) predicts that more than 50% of the population of the region will be infected with the Omicron variant within the next 6 to 8 weeks”, a- he warned, adding that hospitalizations were on the rise due to the unprecedented scale of contamination in the region.
To better manage the destructive impact of the coronavirus on health services, economies and societies, Mr Kluge called for concrete measures, including immediate action and planning for different eventualities, as well as the setting of priorities of the response systems during the “closing window of opportunity”.
The WHO official also stressed the importance of protecting vulnerable populations and “reducing disruption to health systems and essential services”, calling on schools to remain open.
“Keeping schools open greatly benefits the mental, social and educational well-being of children. Schools should be the last to close and the first to reopen,” Kluge said.
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