WHO – Europe nearing end of pandemic?

As the Omicron variant of COVID-19 became the dominant strain in Europe, practically eradicating Delta and what was left from other strains, it has also moved the pandemic into a new phase, which could bring it to an end in Europe.

Hans Kluge, the WHO Europe director, recently stated the following: “It's plausible that the region is moving towards a kind of pandemic endgame”. He also added that by March, around 60 percent of Europeans might have been infected by Omicron.

Due to the much lower hospitalization rate and death rate of Omicron, and the high level of vaccination in Europe, a herd immunity is finally going to be reached. COVID-19 will not disappear, but it will enter an endemic phase, which could be managed way more easily.

After two very long years, there is light in the tunnel. With the lessons we have learned, we have to do everything in our power to make sure future pandemics are avoided.

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