Editorial: Europe, the epicentre of virus surge

We must change our tactics from reacting to surges of Covid-19 to preventing them from happening in the first place

The World Health Organization’s warning about the resurgence of Covid-19 infections in Europe must be taken seriously as the pandemic-weary nations struggle to revive their battered economies. The global health body has made a grim projection that Europe may see “another half a million deaths” by February if the current trajectory of the infections continued. Europe is back at the epicentre of the pandemic in a virtual repeat of last year’s ordeal. However, the difference today is that we know more and we can do more. We have more tools and better means to mitigate and reduce the damage. The European region, comprising 53 countries, has been witnessing the rapid spread of the virus in recent weeks, triggering fresh fears. Last week, there was a 6% spike in new cases— largely caused by the more transmissible and virulent Delta variant — compared with the previous week. The number of deaths surged 12% in the period. At present, every single country in Europe and Central Asia is facing a real threat of Covid-19 resurgence or already fighting it. Inadequate vaccination coverage and the relaxation of public health and social measures are the primary reasons for the spike in the number of fresh cases. As a result, travel restrictions are being re-imposed, impacting the tourism and hospitality industries. There is a need to review the strategies in these countries and step up vaccination coverage. We must change our tactics from reacting to surges of Covid-19 to preventing them from happening in the first place.

Last week, Europe and central Asia accounted for 59% of all cases globally and 48% of reported deaths. Cumulatively, there are now more reported cases — 78 million — in the European region than in Southeast Asia, the Eastern Mediterranean, the Western Pacific and Africa combined. More alarming is the rapid spread of the virus among the older population with 75% of fatal cases being reported in the age group of 65 and above. There are worries that waning immunity from vaccinations across Europe could allow even more people to fall ill from Covid-19 during the winter season. The research into the mutant, which is causing panic in Europe, is still in the initial stages. but it is said to be more transmissible than the Delta variant. However, despite near-record Covid-19 cases, new deaths are at approximately half the peak levels. This reflects the life-saving effects of vaccines and the herculean task of health authorities. It is clear that hospitalisation rates in countries with low vaccine uptake are far higher and rising more quickly than in those with higher uptake. Most people hospitalised and dying from Covid-19 today are not fully vaccinated. Vaccines are the best weapons to fight against the pandemic. It is imperative that authorities invest all efforts to accelerate the pace of vaccination roll-out.

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