Half of western Europe could be infected with Covid in next six weeks – report

FILE – People stroll along the Via del Corso avenue in Rome, on Jan. 5, 2022. New coronavirus restrictions have gone into effect in Italy that amounted to a near-lockdown for the unvaccinated. As of Monday, proof of vaccination or a recent infection is required to access public transport, coffee shops and a host of other activities.The new “super” health pass requirement, which eliminates the ability to access services with just a negative test, coincided with the return to work and school for many Italians after the Christmas and New Year holiday. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

There were more than seven million new cases of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 across Europe in the first week of January, and half the western continent’s population could be infected in the next six to eight weeks, the World Health Organisation has said.

WHO Europe director Dr Hans Kluge said at a media briefing on Tuesday that 26 countries in its region reported that more than 1% of their populations are being infected with Covid-19 each week, warning there is a “closing window of opportunity” for countries to prevent their health systems from being overwhelmed.