With Austria going in full lockdown and imposing mandatory vaccination as soon as February of next year, the World Health Organization (WHO) fears the worst for its citizens.
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COVID in Europe today
Although nothing has been set in stone, more strict measures might have to be put forth to contain the spread of the coronavirus. Dr Hans Kluge, regional director of the WHO, said that about half a million more people could die from the respiratory infection by March. With cases growing exponentially in France, Germany and here in the UK, finding ways to halt the spread of the virus is essential to avoid what is being called the 'fifth wave.'
In fact, numbers have risen so considerably that they have surpassed initial predictions ahead of what was expected of the winter season. The expert revealed that, currently, the virus is killing one person every 15-20 minutes in Europe on average. He said:
Covid-19 has become once again the number one cause of mortality in our region.
Measures to consider to fight off COVID
According to Kluge the only real way of preventing the worst from happening is to reinforce wearing masks and getting those who remain unvaccinated to get their doses. Further, with the proven waning protection of all coronavirus vaccines, getting booster jabs should be a priority to keep nations from regressing back to total lockdown.
When asked whether he thought other countries should follow in the footsteps of Austria, Dr Kluge said that enforcing mandatory vaccination should be considered as 'something of a last resort.' Finally, the WHO expert also said that COVID passports should be used now more than ever to make in an effort to slow down the virus' rampage. He said that the pass is 'not a restriction of liberty, rather it is a tool to keep our individual freedom.
