Pars Today

The World Health Organization (WHO) calls for better monitoring of Euro 2020 football matches as COVID cases rise again in Europe, fueled by the deadly Delta variant that is racing around the globe.

According to AFP, hundreds of cases have been detected among spectators attending Euro matches taking place across Europe, with carriers of the Delta strain detected in Copenhagen, and infected Scots and Finns returning from London and Saint Petersburg respectively.

Russia posted record virus deaths for the third day running on Thursday, while in Britain — where the Euro semi-final and final take place next week — infections are soaring despite a strong vaccination drive.

"There will be a new wave in the WHO European region unless we remain disciplined," the UN agency's Europe director Hans Kluge told a press conference.

He warned that the region had seen a 10 percent rise in cases over the past week, "driven by increased mixing, travel, gatherings and easing of social restrictions."

Asked about whether the Euro championship was potentially acting as a "super-spreader" event, Kluge replied, "I hope not... but this can't be excluded."

Race to vaccinate

The coronavirus has killed more than 3.9 million people worldwide, according to an AFP tally.

On Thursday, the European Medicines Agency said two doses of the vaccine appeared to provide protection against the Delta variant, based on real world evidence.

But while some three billion jabs have been administered worldwide, the global vaccine drive has highlighted stark inequalities between countries, with low-income nations having only given an average of one shot per 100 people.

Vaccine skepticism has also been an issue for many countries including Russia, prompting President Vladimir Putin to urge people on national television to get the jab.

On Thursday, Russia reported 672 deaths over the past 24 hours, setting yet another pandemic high.

Saint Petersburg, which is due to host the Spain vs. Switzerland Euro 2020 quarter-final on Friday in front of thousands of spectators, saw the most deaths with 115.

Authorities have introduced minimal restrictions beyond banning food sales at fan zones.

EU-wide travel pass

"What we need to look at is around the stadia. How are people getting there? Are they traveling in large crowded convoys of buses? Are they taking individual measures when they are doing that?" Catherine Smallwood, Senior Emergency Officer at WHO Europe, told reporters.

She added that it was also important to look at what was happening after the games, for instance if fans gathered in crowded bars.

"Should this mixing happen, there will be cases."

The concerning situation in Europe coincides with the launch of an EU-wide COVID certificate meant to ease travel for those living in the 27 member states.

The document — essentially a QR code available on smart phones or on paper — shows whether the bearer is vaccinated with one of the EU's approved jabs, whether they have recovered from an infection or recently tested negative.

But the surge in the Delta variant could put an abrupt end to this, triggering an "emergency brake" provision suspending the certificate's acceptance.

SS