Iran Press/ Iran news: The continent accounts for more than half of the average seven-day infections globally and about half of latest deaths, the highest levels since April last year when the virus was at its initial peak in Italy, Reuters reported.
The fresh concerns come as successful inoculation campaigns have plateaued ahead of the winter months and flu season.
About 65 percent of the population of the European Economic Area (EEA) – which includes the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway – have received two doses, according to EU data, but the pace has slowed in recent months.
Take-up in southern European countries is about 80 percent, but hesitancy has hampered rollout in central and eastern Europe and Russia, leading to outbreaks that could overwhelm healthcare.
Germany, France and the Netherlands are also experiencing a surge in infections, showing the challenge even for governments with high acceptance rates.
To be sure, hospitalisations and deaths are much lower than a year ago and big variations by country in use of vaccines and boosters as well as measures like social distancing make it hard to draw conclusions for the whole region.
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