<p>Individuals who have recovered from Covid-19 are three to five times more likely to be reinfected with the Omicron variant compared to Delta, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).</p>.<p>According to Hans Henri P Kluge, the WHO's Regional Director for Europe, Omicron variant can evade previous immunity in people.</p>.<p>"So it can still infect those who have had Covid-19 in the past, those who are unvaccinated, and those who were vaccinated many months ago," Kluge said in a recent note.</p>.<p>"There are three things that we need to do urgently: protect ourselves through vaccination, prevent further infections, and prepare health systems for a surge in cases".</p>.<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/india-reports-141-lakh-new-covid-19-cases-active-infections-soar-to-472-lakh-1069093.html" target="_blank">India reports 1.41 lakh new Covid-19 cases, active infections soar to 4.72 lakh</a></strong></p>.<p>Kluge said that health authorities must strengthen capacity, increase testing and trace capacities, engage primary health care in case management, prepare hospitals for a surge, and support health and frontline workers.</p>.<p>"Two years in, our health workers are being severely tested once again. It is deeply worrying that one in 5 is suffering from anxiety and depression from the pandemic. Their concerns must be addressed and their need for manageable working conditions supported," the WHO executive had stressed.</p>.<p>Europe witnessed Covid cases cross 1 million for the first time this week. Europe has recorded over 100 million Covid cases, more than a third of all infections worldwide, since the start of the pandemic.</p>.<p>Also read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/india-may-see-10-lakh-covid-cases-a-day-by-jan-end-iisc-isi-model-1069026.html?_ga=2.160111357.1775862719.1641540616-423986873.1636719377" target="_blank"><strong>India may see 10 lakh Covid cases a day by Jan-end: IISc-ISI model</strong></a></p>.<p>Meanwhile, India witnessed a 21 per cent surge in 24 hours, as it recorded more than 1.4 lakh fresh Covid infections on Friday.</p>.<p>With the addition of 285 new deaths, the total deaths toll has climbed to 4,83,463.</p>.<p>The Omicron infection tally reached 3,071 across the nation, according to the Health Ministry.</p>.<p><strong>Watch the latest DH Videos here:</strong></p>
<p>Individuals who have recovered from Covid-19 are three to five times more likely to be reinfected with the Omicron variant compared to Delta, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).</p>.<p>According to Hans Henri P Kluge, the WHO's Regional Director for Europe, Omicron variant can evade previous immunity in people.</p>.<p>"So it can still infect those who have had Covid-19 in the past, those who are unvaccinated, and those who were vaccinated many months ago," Kluge said in a recent note.</p>.<p>"There are three things that we need to do urgently: protect ourselves through vaccination, prevent further infections, and prepare health systems for a surge in cases".</p>.<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/india-reports-141-lakh-new-covid-19-cases-active-infections-soar-to-472-lakh-1069093.html" target="_blank">India reports 1.41 lakh new Covid-19 cases, active infections soar to 4.72 lakh</a></strong></p>.<p>Kluge said that health authorities must strengthen capacity, increase testing and trace capacities, engage primary health care in case management, prepare hospitals for a surge, and support health and frontline workers.</p>.<p>"Two years in, our health workers are being severely tested once again. It is deeply worrying that one in 5 is suffering from anxiety and depression from the pandemic. Their concerns must be addressed and their need for manageable working conditions supported," the WHO executive had stressed.</p>.<p>Europe witnessed Covid cases cross 1 million for the first time this week. Europe has recorded over 100 million Covid cases, more than a third of all infections worldwide, since the start of the pandemic.</p>.<p>Also read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/india-may-see-10-lakh-covid-cases-a-day-by-jan-end-iisc-isi-model-1069026.html?_ga=2.160111357.1775862719.1641540616-423986873.1636719377" target="_blank"><strong>India may see 10 lakh Covid cases a day by Jan-end: IISc-ISI model</strong></a></p>.<p>Meanwhile, India witnessed a 21 per cent surge in 24 hours, as it recorded more than 1.4 lakh fresh Covid infections on Friday.</p>.<p>With the addition of 285 new deaths, the total deaths toll has climbed to 4,83,463.</p>.<p>The Omicron infection tally reached 3,071 across the nation, according to the Health Ministry.</p>.<p><strong>Watch the latest DH Videos here:</strong></p>