Europe reports 2 million new Covid infections in a week

Geneva, November 13

Europe has reported almost two million new Covid-19 infections last week, the largest weekly case count in the continent since the start of the pandemic early last year, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said.

Get jabbed, Merkel appeals to citizens

Berlin: Chancellor Angela Merkel called on all unvaccinated Germans to get their shots as quickly as possible as the country’s Covid infection rate has hit a new high. “If we stand together, if we think about protecting ourselves and caring for others, we can save our country a lot,” she said.

There were also almost 27,000 Covid-related deaths in the continent, more than half of all Covid fatalities in the world last week, a news agency quoted WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus as saying at a press briefing here on Friday.

He said Covid cases had been surging not only in nations with lower vaccination rates in eastern Europe, but also in countries with some of the world's highest inoculation rates in western Europe.

Russia on Saturday reported a new record one-day death toll of 1,241 from Covid-19 as well as 39,256 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours. The task force said 39,256 new infections were recorded, bringing the country’s case total to 9.03 million.

According to the WHO’s weekly report, between November 1 and 7, the WHO European Region reported 1,949,419 new cases, a 7 per cent week-on-week increase, while other regions reported a decline or stable trends.

Europe’s 26,726 new deaths represented a 10 per cent weekly jump, while other regions showed decreasing trends. “Some European countries are now reintroducing restrictions to curb transmission and take the pressure off their health systems,” Tedros said.

“We continue to recommend the tailored and proportionate use of testing, masks, physical distancing, measures to prevent crowding, improved ventilation, and more. Get vaccinated when it's your turn,” he said. — Agencies