Why are cases soaring in Ireland and Europe after vaccine roll-out? Situation explained as countries reconsider restrictions

Europe has become the epicentre of Covid as cases, and deaths continue to rise across the continent.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said Covid related deaths have increased by a worrying 10% over the past week.

Almost 1.8 million new cases recorded last week in Europe increased by 6% when compared to the week before.

German health officials said the country was entering a fourth wave of the pandemic after recording more than 37,000 daily COVID cases, a record high for the second day running.

Cases in Russia, Ukraine, and Greece also saw a dramatic increase. The trend follows a recent surge in the U.K. as well.

The number of Covid deaths decreased by 4% in all regions except for Europe and Central Asia in the last week.

Medical personnel in protective gear tend to patients in the COVID intensive care unit of a hospital in Jesenice. Slovenia is facing a drastic rise in COVID-19 infections that overwhelmed the country's healthcare to the brink of collapse. (gettyimages.ie)

WHO has warned that another 500,000 deaths could be seen by February if more actions are not taken.

The surge in cases has triggered a call to action as Europe reaches a 'critical point' in the pandemic.

WHO's European Director Dr Hans Kluge said: "With a widespread resurgence of the virus, I am asking every health authority to carefully reconsider easing or lifting measures at this moment."

The resurgence of case numbers has been accredited to the premature relaxation of public safety measures and an uneven vaccine coverage in all countries.

Data shows that Eastern Europe has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the region.

For example, in the Ukraine, just 26% of its 41 million population have received the first dose of the Covid vaccine.

The worrying trajectory of the virus has encouraged countries to reintroduce public safety measures.

Last week, Germany expanded its booster vaccine programme to all adults. The Netherlands reimposed the use of face masks. Vienna, the capital of Austria, announced it would be banning unvaccinated people from cafés and restaurants, hairdressers, and any events with more than 25 people.

The measures were taken after several hospitals within Europe said they are again working at their limits, with ICU beds full of Covid patients.

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