WHO’s Europe director urges vigilance as COVID surges across Europe

LONDON (AA) – As European countries experience a surge of new COVID-19 infections, the World Health Organization’s Regional Director for Europe, Dr. Hans Henri P. Kluge has warned that COVID cases could soar throughout the summer and lead to more deaths.

New COVID-19 cases have doubled in the last month across Europe. Kluge said that we should be worried about any increases seen in COVID-19 activity in Europe, because “it’s a stark reminder that we are not yet out of the woods. Increasing incidence in people who are at risk of severe COVID-19 will lead to increased hospitalizations, more disruption to essential health services, and unfortunately may lead to excess deaths.”

“The most important message I can give to the people”, he continued, is to get vaccinated, particularly individuals who have other chronic diseases and people who are older.”

‘Complacency was a mistake’

While explaining what factors contributed to this sudden summer COVID wave in Europe, he said, “We are seeing two things this summer, which is also a pattern we observed over the past two summers: 1) the spread of a new variant, this time the sub-lineages of omicron called BA.4 and BA.5, and 2) increased travel, gatherings and events held over the summer months.”

“Regardless of the variant of SARS-COV-2, COVID-19 can be a very serious disease and can lead to severe short- and long-term consequences on health.”

Complacency about Covid was a mistake, he insisted.

“All governments must make public health decisions suited to their own epidemiological situation, unique contexts, and cultures. Their decisions, however, should be rooted in science.”

As countries across the European region have lifted the social measures that were previously in place, the virus is likely to transmit at high levels over the summer. “High population immunity and the choices made to lower risks to older people are key to preventing further deaths this summer”, Kluge clarified.

“The primary public health objectives of COVID-19 vaccination programs in every country should remain to reduce severe disease and deaths and to maintain essential services.”

On the likelihood of the virus’ evolution, the WHO Director explained that “further virus evolution and variants, including variants of concern, are expected because we continue seeing significant evolution between and within SARS-COV-2 variants.”

“The WHO continues to emphasize the importance of testing and surveillance so that we can track the virus, its spread and evolution. This information and analyses remain critical to effectively end the acute phase of the pandemic”, he added.

Long Covid 

Kluge also highlighted the risks after apparent recovery from Covid, which is termed as ‘Long Covid.’

“Long COVID can be devastating and debilitating for individuals young and old. Governments must take it seriously and provide integrated care, psychosocial support, and sick leave for those patients with long COVID. The WHO continues to work with partners and patient groups to accelerate research and develop clinical best practice on rehabilitation.”

“Long COVID is a complex condition presenting several symptoms and affecting multiple organs and systems. It occurs in individuals with a history of SARS-Cov-2 infection, usually three months from the onset of COVID-19 symptoms and that lasts for at least two months and cannot be explained by an alternative diagnosis.”

Common symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath and cognitive dysfunction but also others which generally have an impact on everyday functioning.

“Getting vaccinated for COVID-19 before naturally acquired infection means you’re less likely to develop the symptoms of long COVID,” he emphasized.

WHO is engaged in research to understand Long Covid better and come up with effective mechanisms to prevent and treat it.