The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that another 500,000 people could die as cases rise in Europe.
Over the past month, Europe has seen a 50% increase in case numbers despite vaccination programmes being rolled out across the continent.
Speaking at a conference, WHO emergency director Dr Mike Ryan said some countries within Europe have suboptimal vaccination coverage.
He said: "It's a warning shot for the world to see what is happening in Europe despite availability of vaccination."
WHO warned that the current transmission of Covid-19 in Europe is of 'grave concern' as new cases near record levels.
The mutation of the virus to produce the more transmissible Delta variant is said to have had a significant impact on the growing case numbers.
Speaking at the conference, Dr Hans Kluge said: "The current pace of transmission across the 53 countries of the European Region is of grave concern."
Within WHO's European region, over 78 million cases have been recorded over the total 53 countries.
Dr Kluge said: "We are, once again, at the epicentre."
He said if Europe follows along the current trajectory, half a million deaths will be seen by February 2022.
Dr Kluge said the soaring cases resulted from "insufficient vaccination coverage" and "the relaxation of public health and social measures" and said Covid rates were noticeably higher in countries with lower vaccination rates.
WHO said public health measures such as wearing face masks, testing and tracing, and social distancing will all play a significant role in suppressing the virus.
Dr Kluge said: "We must change our tactics, from reacting to surges of Covid-19 to preventing them from happening in the first place."
Ireland has recorded its third consecutive day of case numbers over 3,000, with Europe recording a continuous rise in cases over the past six straight weeks.
The number of deaths per day has also been rising for seven consecutive weeks, with over 250,000 cases and 3,600 deaths per day.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin said on Thursday the government is 'concerned' about the rise in Covid cases and that the country would be in another lockdown had it not been for the vaccine.
However, things remain hush hush about how Ireland aims to tackle the growing number of cases.
When asked by reporters about the possibility of another lockdown, the Taoiseach said there is "little point of speculating".
The Taoiseach said the government would be keeping a close eye on the situation but was reluctant to say if restrictions would be reintroduced.
He said: "what is worrying" is that across Europe, "we are looking at a wave in respect of Covid-19 and the incidence of cases."
