TOPLINE The World Health Organization (WHO) reported Tuesday a 6% increase in new weekly Covid-19 cases in Europe, marking a fifth-straight week in which cases have increased in the region compared to a decline or stabilization in all others—the report comes as several countries have reached unsettling milestones and reimposed restrictions. U.K. epidemiology professor Jonathan Van Tam warned of “hard months to come in the winter” on Wednesday—the British government reported 293 deaths on Tuesday, its highest daily total since February, according to NPR. French health authorities reported 10,050 daily new Covid-19 cases on Wednesday, passing 10,000 for the first time since September 14, with 6,764 hospitalized, according to Reuters. Germany reported 2,220 patients in intensive care units Wednesday, its highest figure since the beginning of June, according to The Guardian. WHO experts point to low vaccination rates as the root cause of Russia and other Eastern European countries’ spike in cases and deaths—Ukraine has the second-lowest vaccination rate in all of Europe at 17%.

Source: Forbes November 05, 2021 04:02 UTC