The World Health Organization (WHO) issued on Wednesday the second Covid-19 warning to Europe.
A further 700,000 people could die of Covid by March in Europe and parts of Asia, the WHO warned.
The death toll already exceeds 1.5 million in the 53 countries of what the WHO terms as its Europe region.
The WHO also warned of “high or extreme stress” in intensive care units in 49 of the nations by March 2022.
Europe is facing a surge in cases, prompting Austria to return to lockdown and others to consider fresh measures.
A number of countries – including France, Germany and Greece – could also soon make booster jabs a requirement for their citizens to be considered fully vaccinated.
But several countries have seen fierce protests against new measures. The Netherlands saw several nights of rioting over a partial lockdown.
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.
