WHO warned on the 23rd that if the current COVID-19 epidemic in Europe continues, the deaths due to COVID-19 in Europe may increase from the current 1.5 million to 2.2 million at the end of winter early next year.
WHO estimates that from now until March 1 next year, the intensive care units of medical institutions in 49 of the 53 European countries will face heavy pressure. When next spring comes, the cumulative number of reported deaths from the epidemic may exceed 2.2 million, which is another 700,000 more than now.
The WHO cited data from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation in the United States, and as said that COVID-19 has become the leading cause of death in Europe and Central Asia.
According to the WHO, factors for the increase in the European COVID-19 epidemic are the raging of highly infectious Delta variants, insufficient vaccine coverage, and relaxation of epidemic prevention measures such as wearing masks and maintaining social distancing.
According to a recent study, wearing masks can reduce the risk of infection by 53%. If the rate of wearing masks can reach 95%, it can prevent 160,000 deaths due to infection until March 1 next year.
