The World Health Organization has warned that more than half of the population in Europe, Russia and Central Asia could be infected with the Omicron variant of the coronavirus in the next six to eight weeks.
The Regional Director for Europe, Hans Kluge, told a news conference on Tuesday that the highly transmissible Omicron is becoming the dominant variant in Western Europe, and is spreading to the Balkans.
But Kluge said vaccines can prevent infected people from becoming seriously ill and cut risks of death.
He renewed a call for countries to speed up vaccine rollouts.
The WHO office for Europe covers 53 countries.
The Regional Director for Europe, Hans Kluge, told a news conference on Tuesday that the highly transmissible Omicron is becoming the dominant variant in Western Europe, and is spreading to the Balkans.
But Kluge said vaccines can prevent infected people from becoming seriously ill and cut risks of death.
He renewed a call for countries to speed up vaccine rollouts.
The WHO office for Europe covers 53 countries.
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Summary
WHO warns over half of Europe, Russia, and Central Asia population could contract Omicron COVID-19 variant within six to eight weeks. The highly transmissible Omicron is already dominant in Western Europe and spreading to the Balkans. Vaccines can prevent severe illness and reduce death risks, but
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ID: 61de3ed0-bcc4-4b25-b892-410b35ed5dbd
Category ID: nhk
URL: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220112_04/
Date: Jan. 12, 2022
Created: 2022/01/12 11:37
Updated: 2025/12/09 18:17
Last Read: 2022/01/12 11:37