According to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Europe director, the region may soon experience a “long period of tranquillity” amid the Covid-19 epidemic.
Dr. Hans Kluge noted high immunization rates, the end of winter, and the Omicron variant’s less severe character. “This period of higher protection should be seen as a ‘ceasefire’ that could bring us enduring peace.” he told reporters. It comes as a number of European countries lift the Covid-19 limitations.
According to Dr. Kluge, 12 million new viral cases were reported across Europe last week, the greatest number ever recorded, yet officials have not witnessed a major increase in individuals requiring acute medical treatment.
While instances remain relatively high there, authorities believe the virus is no longer a “critical threat” with high immunization rates helping to safeguard against serious sickness despite Omicron’s fast growth.
Norway has subsequently announced its own relaxation, and Sweden said on Thursday that it, too, will abolish practically all domestic restrictions on February 9th. “The pandemic is not over, but we are entering a whole new phase,” said Sweden’s Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson to reporters.
Officials there pledged to be “vigilant” against the virus, and some advice, such as staying at home if you have Covid-19 symptoms, remained in effect. Unvaccinated individuals are also advised to avoid gatherings, and some border entrance restrictions remain in effect.
Despite his mention of a “ceasefire” Dr. Kluge of the WHO advised European governments on Thursday to maintain their vaccination efforts and strain surveillance. He was certain, though, that the continent would be in a “better position… even with a more virulent variant” than Omicron.
“I believe that it is possible to respond to new variants that will inevitably emerge without re-installing the kind of disruptive measures we needed before,” Dr Kluge continued.
He recommended individual accountability, more protection for vulnerable populations, and a “drastic and uncompromising increase in vaccine sharing across borders” to improve global protection.