Despite a recent fall in coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and deaths, Europeans should remain attentive because the threat of coronavirus remains present, the (WHO) World Health Organization said Wednesday.
Europe has recorded a 60% fall in new coronavirus cases over the past two months, said Dr Hans Kluge, WHOs regional director. The news comes as the European Union relieved travel restrictions for vaccinated tourists and any traveller from countries where coronavirus is under control.
“Where vaccination rates are highest, admissions to hospitals are dropping, and death rates are decreasing. Vaccines are saving lives, and they will transform the course of this course of this pandemic and finally help end it,” Dr Hans said.
On Wednesday, the European Union’s executive arm approved a third vaccine contract with BioNTech and Pfizer through 2023 for an additional 1.6 billion doses of their coronavirus shot to share between the union countries except for Hungary, which withdrawn from the deal.
But vaccines alone will not end COVID-19, Dr Hans said.
“Without engaging and informing communities, they remain exposed to the virus, he added. “Without research, we can’t identify new variants.”
Other updates on COVID-19 :
- On Wednesday, Ohio health ministers said the vaccination rate of citizens 18 and older has increased by more than 30% since May 13; Mike DeWine, the Governor, introduced a plan to give away five full college scholarships, five $1 million prizes to vaccinated residents.
- According to a survey published Wednesday, there is no proof to support that the coronavirus vaccines cause temporary hearing loss.
- Pennsylvania reached a milestone on Friday, with 50% of residents statewide now considered completely vaccinated against COVID-19.
- Andy Slavitt, the White House senior adviser, tweeted Friday, “For the first time since April 2020, the 7-day average for deaths from coronavirus in the United States has fallen below 500.”
