The World Health Organisation’s regional office for Europe on Thursday expressed grave concerns over the increase in COVID-19 infections in the region.

The office said, “we are very concerned naturally. No country can afford to be complacent and several countries in the European Region are experiencing a surge in cases, hospitalisation and deaths due to COVID-19.

“As a result, many health care systems are really starting to strain and it’s still only the start of the winter season.”

The WHO representative in an interview with Sputnik added that the increase in COVID-19 infections in the region is due to the insufficient vaccination rates, the presence of the delta variant and adverse weather conditions.

She urged those still unimmunised to get their shots at the nearest possible time, stressing that “the unvaccinated are the main driver of the virus.”

In November, many European states faced the fifth wave of the COVID-19 disease.

The number of daily cases is growing rapidly even in the countries with high vaccination rates, such as Germany and France.

The region is currently reporting almost million new infections every two days, with European authorities trying to contain the spread of COVID-19 by imposing mandatory restrictions.

On Monday, Austria began the fourth national COVID-19 lockdown, just as the Swedish authorities will introduce COVID-19 passports in the country starting from December 1.

(Sputnik/NAN)