EU states should act now for COVID-19 waves in winter: Health official

EU states should act now for COVID-19 waves in winter: Health official
July 25, 2022, 9:47 am

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) said on Thursday 17-03-2022 that cases of Omicron BA2, a COVID-19 subvariant, are rising across the European Union (File photo: Pixabay)

EU member states should start preparing now for a new wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in autumn and winter, the bloc's health chief said on Monday (July 25), saying there had been a "worrying increase" in outbreaks.

European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Stella Kyriakides also warned there was no room for complacency, saying the pandemic was not over, the Anews reported, citing Reuters.

She told Cyprus state radio: "Unfortunately the pandemic has shown a worrying increase in several countries.”

She said: "For the past two months we have been preparing for the autumn and winter, fully aware the next pandemic wave cannot and should not further burden our economies or our societies, particularly at a time when its being affected by the war and invasion of Ukraine, and inflation.”

WHO Official: Europe must act now or risk tougher COVID measures later

Kyriakides, who is from Cyprus, told the broadcaster the Commission had asked member states to accelerate booster shots now for persons over 60 and vulnerable groups.

She said: "These months should be preparatory months .. So our health systems be ready for possible new waves which might, for instance, be combined with seasonal flu.”

Source: anews

Rishi Sunak vows to get tough on China if he becomes PM Shooting in Los Angeles park leaves at least two dead