Currently, the Omicron variant of COVID-19 represents a “new tidal wave from west to east sweeping through the area”, said WHODr. Hans Kluge’s European Regional Director.
In the first week of January, Europe sees more than seven million new cases reported, more than doubling in a two-week period.
“How each country responds now must be informed based on the epidemiological situation, available resources, immunization status and socioeconomic context,” said WHO.
Omicrons are easy to transmit
As of January 10, 26 countries reported that more than one percent of their populations were infected each week. According to WHO, Omicron is becoming the dominant variant in Western Europe and is now spreading in the Balkans.
At this rate, the university-based research center, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), forecasts that more than 50% of the population in the region will be infected with Omicron within six to eight weeks.
In their situation update, experts from WHO Europe said that data collected in recent weeks confirms that Omicron is highly transmissible: “Because of the mutations it has, for This allows it to attach to human cells more easily, and it can infect even people who have been previously infected or vaccinated. ”
Vaccines are still effective
Dr. Kluge reiterated that currently approved vaccines continue to provide good protection against severe illness and death, including Omicron.
Furthermore, mortality rates have remained stable and continue to be highest in countries with high rates of COVID-19 infection, combined with fewer vaccinations.
Dr Kluge stressed that “due to the unprecedented scale of transmission, we are currently seeing an increased number of hospitalizations due to COVID-19. It is challenging health systems and service delivery in many countries where Omicron has spread at breakneck speed”, which is trending overwhelmingly in many other countries.
Dr Kluge added: “We have yet to see its full impact in countries with lower vaccination coverage.”
In Denmark, for example, where Omicron cases have exploded in recent weeks, the COVID-19 hospitalization rate for unvaccinated patients is six times higher than for fully vaccinated individuals, in the week before Christmas.
Data from the UK Obstetrics Surveillance System shows that 96% of pregnant women admitted to hospital with COVID-19 symptoms between May and October 2021, have not been vaccinated, in part three of which required respiratory support.
The burden of reaction
Recalling that, once again, the greatest burden of pandemic response is being shouldered by health and care workers, as well as other essential frontline workers, Dr Kluge said that they are also those with the highest exposure to the virus, and he called for more support for their mental health and well-being.
In an effort to manage the impact on health services, the economy and society, Dr Kluge had three messages to relay.
First, for countries not yet affected by the increase in Omicrons, the use of high-quality respirators in enclosed and indoor environments – and ensuring that vulnerable people can reach them – is necessary.
The full distribution of vaccines, along with booster shots, should be done as soon as possible, and finally, he stressed the importance of immediate isolation if symptoms are present.
He added: “This is a valuable time to prepare response systems, by increasing the supply of tests and making them widely available for free in pharmacies, workplaces and pharmacies. communities, while making them available to key workers.
Second, as the Omicron surge begins, “priority should be to avoid and minimize harm to vulnerable people and minimize disruption to health systems and essential services” by prioritizing vulnerable people for the main course and booster dose, and advises them to avoid closures, crowded spaces, offers the ability to work remotely wherever possible until the infection is over .
Dr Kluge went on to say that prioritizing PCR testing for individuals at risk of developing severe illness, health and other critical patients, and rolling out rapid tests more widely.
Keep schools open
On his last point, the WHO Regional Director for Europe, stated that Keeping schools open has important benefits for the mental, social and educational health of children, and that “schools should be the last to close and the first to reopen.”“.
To ensure that, Dr. Kluge emphasized the importance of proper ventilation, hand hygiene and mask use, as well as prioritizing vaccination for teachers and staff, and for children. vulnerable areas where vaccines are available.
Going forward, the number of infected people will remain so high in many countries that schools may not be able to open all classes due to a lack of staff. He concluded: This winter, online learning should be arranged in addition to physical presence, so that children can continue their studies when they cannot go to school.
