WHO says end of Covid-19 pandemic in Europe ‘plausible’ after Omicron wave

The World Health Organisation has indicated that the coronavirus pandemic could come to an ‘end’ in Europe after the current Omicron-driven wave of Covid-19 passes over after infecting around 60% of the population of the continent.

Hans Kluge, who is the WHO Europe director, told the AFP news agency that the pandemic has entered a new phase with the Omicron variant, which could infect 60 percent of people in Europe by March, and that could eventually bring the pandemic to an end.

Urging necessary caution due to the virus's ability to mutate, Kluge said It is plausible that Europe is moving towards a kind of pandemic endgame.

Also watch | UK designates an Omicron sub-lineage as a 'variant under investigation'

The health official said that once the current surge of cases in Europe subsides, “there will be for quite some weeks and months a global immunity, either due to the vaccine or because people have immunity due to the infection, and also lowering seasonality.”

He said Covid-19 may still make a return near the end of the year; however, that does not necessarily equate to the pandemic returning.

What is Stealth Omicron and can it escape RT-PCR Covid-19 test?