![]() Similarly, it reported a 10 percent increase in deaths, while other regions reported declines. The World Health Organization’s report for the week to November 7 showed that Europe, including Russia, was the only region to record a rise in cases, up 7 percent, while other areas reported declines or stable trends. “If there’s one thing to learn from this it’s not to take your eye off the ball,” said Lawrence Young, a virologist at Warwick Medical School in the United Kingdom. To be sure, hospitalisations and deaths are much lower than a year ago and big variations by country in use of vaccines and boosters as well as measures like social distancing make it hard to draw conclusions for the whole region.īut a combination of low vaccine take-up in some parts, waning immunity among those inoculated early and complacency about masks and distancing as governments relaxed curbs over the summer are likely to blame, virologists and public health experts told Reuters. Germany, France and the Netherlands are also experiencing a surge in infections, showing the challenge even for governments with high acceptance rates. Take-up in southern European countries is about 80 percent, but hesitancy has hampered rollout in central and eastern Europe and Russia, leading to outbreaks that could overwhelm healthcare. The fresh concerns come as successful inoculation campaigns have plateaued ahead of the winter months and flu season.Ībout 65 percent of the population of the European Economic Area (EEA) – which includes the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway – have received two doses, according to EU data, but the pace has slowed in recent months. The continent accounts for more than half of the average seven-day infections globally and about half of latest deaths, according to a Reuters tally, the highest levels since April last year when the virus was at its initial peak in Italy. The Health Secretary vowed earlier in the day that Britain will not consider making vaccines mandatory for the general population.Europe has become the epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic again, prompting some governments to consider re-imposing unpopular lockdowns in the run-up to Christmas and stirring debate over whether vaccines alone are enough to tame COVID-19. But the most important way to minimise risk against the virus is to come forward for a booster jab when called.” Whilst we always remain vigilant, Plan A is working. He also stressed that taking up the flu vaccine was “just as important this winter” as receiving a Covid booster shot, in order to prevent the NHS from being overwhelmed.Ī government source echoed his sentiments on Sunday night, telling The Telegraph: “The current data shows no sign of a need to change course. He also highlighted that the UK “made a tough decision back at the start of the summer” to open up, while “other countries didn’t follow our course”.ĭespite Mr Javid’s upbeat tone, he warned that the public must “remain cautious, not complacent in any way”, describing the virus as “very unpredictable”. ![]() The UK has completed 15 million booster doses, with 25 per cent of over-12s covered. ![]() “It’s the most successful of Europe,” he told BBC One’s Andrew Marr Show on Sunday, adding it is “absolutely key for us to keep this virus at bay”. ![]() Mr Javid said the “one big difference” between Britain and parts of Europe where coronavirus is soaring is the UK’s vaccine booster programme. ![]() The Health Secretary played down the likelihood of tougher curbs being introduced in England despite cases surging on the Continent. As Europe endured fresh violence, in Britain, Sajid Javid insisted that no such measures were necessary, saying he hoped that people can “ look forward to Christmas together”. ![]()
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