EUROPE SEES A HIGH RISE IN COVID INFECTIONS

The World Health Organization is warning that once again Europe is becoming the ‘epicenter’ of the COVID-19 pandemic, with cases spiking in the central and eastern parts of Europe along with many deaths reported.

The reason for this is because of low vaccination rates in the region as many people are hesitating to take the vaccine. Politicians are reluctant to take tough measures to control the spread of the virus.

The WHO said Coronavirus deaths rose by 10% in Europe in early November and warned that it would see many more deaths by February of next year if tough measures were not taken.

Even though 65-70% of the population in Europe are vaccinated this does not seem to be enough. Experts say in order to combat the fast spreading Delta variant of the virus, at least 9095% of the population has to be vaccinated.

In Russia where the highest number of deaths is being recorded, only 37% of the population are vaccinated. In Bulgaria, Romania and Bosnia and Herzegovina only 1/3rd of their population is vaccinated. In Germany too it is the same.

Relaxing restrictions such as allowing people to move in public without masks and not maintaining social distancing have also seen a rise in cases.

Experts are stressing that a vaccine-only strategy is not enough and that social distancing methods have to be practiced.