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COPENHAGEN: The World Health Organization on Thursday (September 17) warned of “alarming rates of transmission” of COVID-19 in Europe and warned countries against reducing quarantine periods.
WHO’s regional director for Europe, Hans Kluge, said the number of coronavirus cases seen in September “should serve as a wake-up call for all of us.”
“Although these numbers reflect more comprehensive tests, they also show alarming transmission rates in the region,” he told an online news conference from the Danish capital Copenhagen.
The health agency also said it would not change its guide calling for a 14-day quarantine period for anyone exposed to the new coronavirus.
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Some European countries such as France and Spain have seen a rapid increase in cases. (Photo: AFP / Philippe Lopez)
“Our 14-day quarantine recommendation has been based on our understanding of the incubation period and transmission of the disease. We will only review that based on a change in our understanding of the science,” said Catherine Smallwood, emergency officer for WHO in Europe. .
In France, for example, the recommended duration for self-isolation in case of exposure has been reduced to seven days.
It’s 10 days in the UK and Ireland, and several more European countries, such as Portugal and Croatia, are considering lowering their recommendations.
“Knowing the immense individual and social impact that even a small reduction in the duration of the quarantine can have … I encourage the countries of the region to carry out scientific due process with their experts and explore safe reduction options,” said Kluge , adding that “The concept of quarantine must be protected” and “continually adapted.”
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New daily COVID-19 cases and the 7-day moving average for selected European countries as of September 17, 2020 (Chart: AFP / Romain Allimant)
The 53 member states of the WHO in Europe have registered close to 5 million cases of COVID-19 and more than 227,000 related deaths, according to figures from the organization itself.
The number of recorded daily cases is currently between 40,000 and 50,000, comparable to a daily peak of 43,000 on April 1, although testing in many countries has increased considerably.
A new record was set on September 11, with some 54,000 cases registered in 24 hours.
Following the introduction of strict measures in many European countries, cases reached a record low in June, Kluge stressed.
“If you lift the pressure on the virus, you will naturally see this increase,” he said.
However, noting reports that Europeans were experiencing “fatigue” from COVID-19, he said that instead of returning to lockdowns, authorities should “focus on reducing damage, where and when possible.”
“Engaging young people in finding new and safe ways to socialize,” Kluge said.
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