The danger of Covid-19 “has not gone away,” according to the European branch of the World Health Organisation (WHO) this week.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, WHO regional Director General for Europe, Hans Kluge, said that Europe “will never recover” from the pandemic unless it learns to treat long Covid, which he says impacts one in 30 people.
“Unless we develop comprehensive diagnostics and treatment for long Covid, we will never truly recover from the pandemic,” he said, calling it an “under-recognised condition.”
In May of this year, the WHO formally declared that Covid-19 was no longer considered a “global health emergency.” However, Kluge said that the virus still posed a threat.
“Whilst it may not be a global public health emergency, however, Covid-19 has not gone away.
“Close to 1,000 new Covid-19 deaths continue to occur across the region every week, and this is an underestimate due to a drop in countries regularly reporting Covid-19 deaths to WHO.”
The region in question refers to 53 countries across Europe and central Asia.
As the WHO continues to make statements regarding Covid-19’s danger, Ireland’s Chief Medical Officer recently reported that many elderly people in Ireland continue to practise isolation due to Covid-19, more than a year after most restrictions were lifted, resulting in feelings of “loneliness” and “isolation.”
“Your compliance…played a significant role in Ireland’s success”: The Chief Medical Officer has said that many old people are still isolating from Covid a year after the restrictions ended, leading to “loneliness” and “isolation.”#gripthttps://t.co/DnAtFgLD6e
— gript (@griptmedia) March 1, 2023
Despite the relaxation of lockdown restrictions in Ireland since the end of February last year, Chief Medical Officer Breda Smyth claimed in March that a significant number of older individuals remain “apprehensive” and “anxious” about venturing outside even to this present day.
“We know that many people still feel apprehensive about getting out and about. So, I would like to offer my reassurance that today we are – thankfully – in a much better place,” said Smyth.
“We have access to safe, effective vaccines. We know these vaccines save lives and help protect us from the worst effects of COVID-19. Your vaccinations offer a high level of protection, so you can feel safe while engaging with others. We also have effective antiviral treatment.
“The pandemic has taught us to embrace stronger personal protective behaviours like hand -cleaning and practising good respiratory etiquette. With measures like these, we are learning to live with COVID-19.”
She said that “we cannot allow [Covid] to steal more years from us,” and urged older people to return to social activities rather than living in fear.