Europe is expected to record 2 million Covid deaths by March next year, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned.
The international agency further said that the pandemic had become the number one cause of death in the region.
Reported deaths reported an increase to nearly 4,200 a day, double the number reported in September.
Describing the situation as “very serious”, the WHO said it expected “high or extreme stress” on hospital beds in 25 of the region’s 53 countries.
Intensive care units in 49 countries set to come under similar strain, according to the WHO.
The warning comes as several nations report record-high infection rates and introduce full and partial lockdowns.
Meanwhile, protesters took into streets in several European cities against the new restrictions and COVID-19 passes mandatory.
Demonstrations against virus restrictions took place in Switzerland, Croatia, Italy, Northern Ireland and the Netherlands.
Protesters rallied against coronavirus restrictions and mandatory COVID-19 passes required in many European countries to enter restaurants, Christmas markets or sports events, as well as mandatory vaccinations.
COVID-19 cases are on the rise again in various parts of Europe. The cold weather has affected the spread of the virus.
However, governments have imposed travel restrictions across Europe in a bid to confront the spread of the coronavirus wave.