Coronavirus: Europe

Available for over a year

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that Europe is once again “at the epicentre” of the Covid pandemic. The WHO reported that deaths from coronavirus in the continent have increased by 5% - making it the only region in the world where the numbers are going up. The WHO head, Dr Hans Kluge, also said Europe could see half a million more deaths by February 2022. He blamed insufficient vaccine take-up for the rise in cases. Host Nuala McGovern hears from doctors in Romania, The Netherlands and Austria about what is happening in their country, the concerns and hopes for the future. We also hear from two Austrians about why they refuse to get a vaccine, despite the rising Covid-19 cases, and why they believe the new restrictions there have serious implications for the future freedom of their country. (Photo: Masks used in the Covid-19 ICU unit at Giurgiu County Emergency Hospital with a Christian orthodox depiction of Jesus Christ underneath them. Credit: Octav Ganea/Inquam Photos/Reuters)