The Latest: WHO: Europe surpasses 1 million COVID-19 deaths
A top official from the World Health Organization says Europe has surpassed 1 million deaths from COVID-19
April 15, 2021, 11:58 AM
12 min read
World Health organization Director for Europe Hans Kluge speaks to media during a press conference where he said he would take an AstraZeneca vaccine when his turn comes for inoculation, at a vaccination center in Bucharest, Romania, Wednesday, April 7, 2021. British authorities recommended Wednesday that the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine not be given to adults under 30 where possible because of strengthening evidence that the shot may be linked to rare blood clots, a recommendation that came as regulators both in the United Kingdom and the European Union emphasized that the benefits of receiving the vaccine continue to outweigh the risks for most people — even though the European Medicines Agency said it had found a "possible link" between the shot and the rare clots.(AP Photo/Andreea ALexandru)
GENEVA — A top official from the World Health Organization says Europe has surpassed 1 million deaths from COVID-19.
Dr. Hans Kluge says the situation remains “serious” with about 1.6 million new cases reported each week in the 53 countries that make up its European region.
Addressing recent concerns about vaccines, Kluge says the risk of people suffering blood clots is far higher for people with COVID-19 than people who receive AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccine.
Kluge pointed to “early signs that transmission may be slowing across several countries” and cited “declining incidence” among the oldest people. He says the proportion of COVID-19 deaths among people over 80, who have been prioritized for vaccines, had dropped to nearly 30%.
Worldwide, a tally by Johns Hopkins University shows nearly 3 million deaths have been linked to COVID-19 — with the Americas hardest hit, followed by Europe. The United States, Brazil and Mexico have reported the highest number of deaths, collectively, at more than 1.1 million.
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THE VIRUS OUTBREAK:
— J&J vaccine to remain in limbo while officials seek evidence
— With 200,000 new infections in 1 day, India skyrockets past 14M virus cases
— French families decry toll of pandemic as nation nears 100,000 deaths
— Bangkok nightlife clusters expose Thailand’s virus stumbles
— Homeless Americans who have been left off priority lists for coronavirus vaccinations are finally getting their shots as vaccine supplies increase.
— A look at which U.S. states are leading at vaccinating and which states are struggling resembles America’s electoral map.
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Follow AP’s pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic and https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-vaccine
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HERE’S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING:
TOKYO — Japan’s western metropolis of Osaka reported a record 1,208 new coronavirus cases.
Tokyo reported a two-month high of 729 daily cases. A virus alert status began in Tokyo on Monday, allowing the authorities to issue binding orders for shorter hours at bars and restaurants.
Osaka and four other prefectures are also on alert, and the government is expected to add a few more areas for the elevated measures Friday.
The rapid resurgence in Japan comes less than three months before the Olympics. On Thursday, a top ruling party official suggested an option of canceling the Olympics if the infections make it impossible.
Officials are concerned that the sense of urgency is not shared by the people. Experts on a Tokyo metropolitan government taskforce warned that the new variant could replace the conventional coronavirus virus and trigger more infections by early May.
Dr. Shigeru Omi, head of a government taskforce, urged municipal leaders to take action quickly to curb the spread of the infections. Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike urged the residents to take maximum protection and asked non-Tokyo residents, except for essential workers, not to visit the area. She also asked the people to avoid traveling during the upcoming “Golden week” holidays beginning at the end of April.
Overall, Japan added 4,300 new cases Wednesday for a total of about half a million and 9,500 confirmed deaths.
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