Today: 7 October 2025
19 March 2021
2 mins read

WHO warns against easing curbs too early

Many European countries are currently reinforcing lockdown

Kluge’s warning on Thursday came as the region has been witnessing a rise in Covid-19 transmission rates, while its death toll was inching towards the 1 million mark…reports Asian Lite News

Hans Kluge, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Regional Director for Europe, has warned countries against premature easing of Covid-19 restrictions.

Kluge’s warning on Thursday came as the region has been witnessing a rise in Covid-19 transmission rates, while its death toll was inching towards the 1 million mark, Xinhua news agency.

Addressing a virtual press conference here, Kluge noted that “while 27 countries are currently in a partial or full nationwide lockdown, 21 are gradually easing restrictive measures”.

“Some are doing so based on the assumption that increasing vaccination uptake in countries would immediately lead to an improved epidemiological situation,” he said.

“Such assumptions are too early to make.”

Kluge stressed that with vaccination coverage in the region ranging from less than 1 per cent to 44 per cent, it is “far too early to demonstrate the effect of vaccines on overall Covid-19 hospitalisation and deaths”.

Despite “giant scientific leaps and the introduction of effective tools that give us power over the virus”, the WHO official acknowledged that in parts of the region, such as central Europe, the Balkans and the Baltic states, “case incidence, hospitalizations and deaths are now among the highest in the world”.

According to Kluge, case incidence in Europe continues its increasing trend, with over 1.2 million new cases reported last week.

“Last week, new deaths in the region surpassed 900,000. Every week, more than 20,000 people across the region lose their lives to the virus,” said Kluge.

“The number of people dying from Covid-19 in Europe is higher now than it was this time last year, reflecting the widespread hold this virus has.”

As a consequence of the rising numbers, the regional director called upon states in the region to “remain steadfast in our application of the full range of tools” to fight the coronavirus.

“Let there be no doubt about it, vaccination by itself, particularly given the varied uptake in countries, does not replace public health and social measures,” said Kluge.

Also read:WHO warns of ‘post Covid’ health risks

Previous Story

‘Ram Setu’ shoot begins in Ayodhya

Next Story

Russia ‘prepared for worst’ over US ties

Latest from -Top News

OCTOBER 7: Stop the Violence Now, Says Guterres

Guterres recalled that “the attackers brutally killed more than 1,250 Israelis and foreign nationals….reports Asian Lite News UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged an immediate halt to the violence in Gaza, Israel, and

Piyush Goyal Heads to Doha for Trade Talks

During the visit, both sides are expected to discuss the proposed India–Qatar Free Trade Agreement (FTA)….reports Asian Lite News Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will travel to Doha, Qatar, on

Hamas Heads to Egypt for Gaza Talks

The negotiation will focus on the details of enacting the first phase of the plan…reports Asian Lite News A delegation from the Palestinian group Hamas arrived in Egypt on Sunday ahead of

Multi-alignment, upgraded

With US ties strained and China tense, New Delhi taps Europe’s harder edge for co-development, clean tech and strategic autonomy, writes Manoj Menon India is recalibrating its great-power hedging as frictions with
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Modi dials Putin, urges direct talks with Zelensky

During the talk, Modi appreciated the Russian military’s announcement earlier

WHO Aims to Tackle Loneliness Worldwide

According to research, social isolation is common among one in