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The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that Europe has now become the epicentre of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prof Jonathan Ball, Professor of Molecular Virology, University of Nottingham, said:
“It is without doubt that Europe is experiencing a sharp increase in novel coronavirus activity that is putting immense strain on health services – it only goes to show just how rapidly this virus can escalate. Whilst it is right for WHO to flag that this is an area that needs intensified efforts to slow the spread of the virus I wouldn’t want this to be interpreted that other parts of the world won’t be experiencing similar, if not more extensive problems – surveillance shows you where a virus is circulating but when surveillance is poor you can have a significant community spread going under the radar. Good surveillance across the globe will be essential in our fight against this virus and it is crucial that WHO don’t lose sight of the low and middle income countries that are no doubt having similar problems but are not yet aware of it. That’s where there is an even bigger challenge.”
https://www.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/lanres/PIIS2213-2600(20)30116-8.pdf
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