{"id":37747,"date":"2020-06-25T12:39:48","date_gmt":"2020-06-25T10:39:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/unric.org\/en\/?p=37747"},"modified":"2020-07-09T14:31:53","modified_gmt":"2020-07-09T12:31:53","slug":"covid-19-the-risk-of-resurgence-in-europe-has-become-a-reality","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/unric.org\/en\/covid-19-the-risk-of-resurgence-in-europe-has-become-a-reality\/","title":{"rendered":"COVID-19. The risk of resurgence in Europe has become a reality"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last week, Europe saw an increase in weekly COVID-19 cases for the first time in months, Hans Kluge European regional director of WHO<\/a>, the World Health Organization, told a press conference, where he emphasized the important role of digital solutions.<\/p>\n

While the European Region is reporting a decreasing proportion of global cases than earlier in the year, the Region continues to report close to 20,000 new cases and over 700 new deaths daily.<\/p>\n

Over 2.5 million cases of COVID-19 infections have been reported from Europe.<\/p>\n

Globally, with over 9 million confirmed COVID-19 cases and over 400,000 deaths reported to WHO, the pandemic continues to accelerate, with a record number of new coronavirus cases reported on Sunday, with\u00a0183,020\u00a0confirmed in 24 hours.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor weeks I have spoken about the risk of resurgence as countries adjust measures. In several countries across Europe, this risk has now become a reality,\u201d Kluge warned.<\/p>\n

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Health care systems could be pushed to the limit<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201c30 countries have seen increases in new cumulative cases over the past two weeks. In 11 of these countries, accelerated transmission has led to very significant resurgence that if left unchecked will push health systems to the brink once again in Europe,\u201d Kluge said.<\/p>\n

He, however, said that it was very good news that countries such as Poland, Germany, Spain and Israel have responded quickly to dangerous outbreaks of COVID-19 associated with schools, coal mines, and food production settings that have occurred over the past several weeks.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere new clusters of cases appeared, these have been controlled through rapid and targeted interventions. This is very good news! Bravo to the authorities!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd on another positive note, several Ministers of Health have reported a change in people\u2019s behaviour to me, namely that they are adhering to physical distancing and wearing facial masks. Bravo to the people!\u201d<\/p>\n

Kluge recommended that \u201cwe need to get smarter in using the evidence and the information we have from our COVID-19 surveillance systems to improve the only way we have to minimise transmission: find, isolate, test and care for every case. Trace and quarantine every contact.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Protecting date and private life <\/strong><\/p>\n

WHO considers that \u201cdigital technology can play a leading role, not least to support contact tracing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Several European countries have released national solutions for digital contact tracing in Europe.<\/p>\n

\u201cDigital technologies have proved to be powerful tools to fight COVID-19. However, these same technologies have exposed us to a tsunami of information and have raised many issues around data protection and privacy,\u201d Kluge said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIntegrating digital health must be done carefully and wisely, in partnership with the public and patients,\u201d the WHO European chief said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all about trust,\u201d Kluge continues. \u201cDigital tools rely on public trust. Interventions must consider the privacy and security of individuals and their data. Fundamental human and gender rights must be preserved in digital environments and must not be forgone in times of a pandemic.\u201d<\/p>\n

In his opinion it is \u201cthe responsibility of governments to address data ownership, use, consent and protection.\u201d<\/p>\n

WHO is also concerned about the digital gap. In Europe\u00a0 internet coverage varies from 74% to 87%<\/p>\n

\u201cThe full potential of digital health is yet to be realized. It is about empowering people to make healthy life style decisions to create a European culture of health. Ultimately, it is about leaving no one behind,\u201d Kluge said.<\/p>\n

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Additional links:<\/strong><\/p>\n