European leaders are reinstating coronavirus restrictions as the new Omicron variant continues to spread across the continent.
Germany and Portugal are among the countries that have announced post-Christmas restrictions and increased social distancing measures.
Omicron is already the dominant strain in many European countries.
The surge in cases across Europe will push health systems towards the brink of collapse, the World Health Organization’s top official in the continent has warned.
Another storm, Hans Kluge said, was coming and governments should brace for significant increases in cases.
Omicron was first identified in southern Africa last month but has now spread around the globe. Data from around the world suggests Omicron may be more infectious, but there is no evidence yet that it causes more serious illness.
It has been detected in at least 38 of the 53 countries in the WHO’s European region—which includes Russia and Turkey—and is dominant in several, the organization says.
“We can see another storm coming. Within weeks, Omicron will dominate in more countries in the region, pushing already stretched health systems further to the brink, “said Dr. Kluge, quoted by Reuters.
“The sheer volume of new COVID-19 infections could lead to more hospitalizations and widespread disruption to health systems and other critical services.”
Governments and authorities need to prepare our response systems for a significant surge. ”
Source: www.bbc.com
