More than 50% of the European population will be infected with omicron within 6 to 8 weeks

More than 50% of the European population will have contracted the omicron variant of the coronavirus in the next 6 to 8 weeks at the current rate of transmission, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Tuesday.

The forecast is based on a calculation carried out by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluations (IHME), of the University of Washington, cited by the director of WHO-Europe, Hans Kluge.

Kluge highlighted in his first appearance in 2022 that twenty-six countries in the WHO European region – which comprises 53, including several from Central Asia – have reported that more than one percent of their population is catching coronavirus each week.

Of the total number of countries in the region, 50 have already registered cases of omicron, which is fast becoming the dominant variant in Western Europe and is now expanding into the Balkans.

“Data collected in recent weeks confirm that omicron is highly transmissible because the mutations it has allow it to adhere to human cells more easily and can infect even those who have been previously or vaccinated”Kluge stated.

Vaccines continue to provide good protection against severe or fatal cases, but the “unprecedented scale of transmission” has led to an increase in hospitalizations for COVID-19.

“That is challenging health and service delivery systems in many countries where omicron has expanded rapidly, and threatens to overwhelm many more.”Kluge said.

Health personnel, caregivers and other essential workers are bearing “the greatest burden” and are the most exposed to the virus, recalled the director of WHO-Europe, who called for more support for their well-being and mental health.

Kluge urged the countries of the region not yet hit by the new variant to implement measures such as the use of high-quality masks indoors, promote full vaccination, including the booster dose; and prepare response systems that include, for example, test augmentation and that are accessible.

In countries where there is already a wave of omicron the priority should be to avoid and reduce harm to vulnerable groups and minimize disruptions to health systems and essential services.

Thus, it is necessary to prioritize the access of these groups to vaccines and booster doses and to promote the deployment of tests.

Any decision to shorten the quarantine or isolation period recommended for those infected should be taken in combination with negative tests and “only if it is considered essential to preserve the continuity of critical services,” warned the WHO.