The projection was based on the seven million new cases reported across Europe in the first week of 2022, the WHO Director for Europe Dr. Hans Kluge said.

As of January 10, 26 European nations reported more than 1% of their inhabitants positive for the disease each week, while 50 of the 53 in the region and Central Asia reported Omicron variant cases.

“Omicron variant is quickly becoming the dominant strain in Western Europe and is now spreading in the Balkans,” Dr. Kluge said.

“Omicron is highly transmissible, because its mutations allow it to adhere to human cells more easily, and it can infect even those previously infected or vaccinated,” he stressed.

He insisted this variant is considered as a new tsunami sweeping the whole continent.

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