#DoItAll
Setting the scene
For the first time in 2 months, we are seeing an increase in COVID-19 cases across the WHO European Region. We have also passed the grim milestone of more than 1 million deaths due to the virus in our Region.
The increase in COVID-19 cases appears to be due to increased mixing after the easing of social restrictions linked to vaccine roll-outs, the opportunistic spread of the more transmissible Delta variant, and people letting down their guards.
Basic public health and social measures have to remain the foundation of our response. For public health authorities, this means testing, contact tracing, isolation, supported quarantine and quality care. For individuals, avoiding crowds, physical distancing, hand hygiene, masks and ventilation continue to be essential.
We need to drive transmission down rather than expect a downward trend to continue on its own. We can do this by maintaining the preventive behaviours that we know are effective against COVID-19 and its current variants.
Variants will continue to emerge and spread, and some will likely pose new challenges. The only way to prevent this is to reduce the presence of COVID-19 in the human population by reducing transmission.
We are witnessing a global roll-out of not just one but several vaccines, which is vital to reduce disease and deaths and to relieve pressure on essential health services. However, to keep transmission rates down and reduce opportunities for the virus to mutate, we must #DoItAll.
Being vaccinated does not mean that we can throw caution to the wind and put ourselves and others at risk. We know vaccines protect us from severe disease and death. They also significantly reduce the risk of infection, but they do not eliminate it. This means that vaccinated people should still be careful as they can potentially become infected with mild or no symptoms and transmit the virus to others who have not been vaccinated.
The WHO/Europe #DoItAll campaign urges everyone to continue all the protective behaviours that we know work at an individual level. These include:
- cleaning hands;
- wearing a mask that covers your nose, mouth and chin;
- avoiding crowds and keeping physical distance;
- opening windows when possible and improving air ventilation;
- covering your mouth and nose when you cough; and
- getting fully vaccinated as soon as this is available to you and as recommended by your health authorities.