27 Oct
The World Health Organization has expressed concern that Europe's latest wave of coronavirus infections is increasingly difficult to contain.
The head of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, Michael Ryan, spoke to reporters in Geneva on Monday.
He said, "We are seeing very, very high positivity rates and an increasing lack of capacity to do any effective form of contact tracing."
But its technical lead for the coronavirus response, Maria Van Kerkhove, said nationwide lockdowns will not be necessary, "if everyone plays their part."
She called for the use of alternative tools, including more testing, self-isolating for those suspected of being infected and avoiding crowded places.
Both Spain and France reported that their infection cases surpassed one million earlier this month. Several countries have imposed night curfews and ordered restaurants to shorten opening hours.
NHK
