The World Health Organization (WHO) is very concerned about the spread of COVID-19 in Europe amid a new wave of infections.

WHO regional director Dr Hans Kluge cautioned that there could be 500,000 more deaths by March if urgent action is not taken, adding that an increase in mask wearing could have immediate beneficial effects. Several countries on the continent are logging record-high infection rates and have imposed full or partial lockdowns. 

According to Dr Kluge, factors like the winter season, inadequate vaccine coverage and the Delta variant dominance are accountable for the surge. Calling for increased vaccine uptake, Dr Kluge said that COVID has again become the leading cause of mortality in the region… (BBC, November 21, 2021)