Exponential growth in COVID-19 cases and deaths continues in the WHO European Region unabated, with daily cases increasing by a third and daily deaths increasing by 38% compared to the week prior. Although a number of local jurisdictions are imposing social distancing mandates, we expect that the increase in cases and deaths will steadily continue through the next two to three months. These trends will put profound pressure on health systems, and we are already seeing some countries putting in place alternative means to increase hospital bed capacities. France, Spain, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and the Russian Federation currently account for the majority of cases in the region. One of the best strategies to delay imposition of social distancing mandates and reduce the death toll remains expanding mask use. If mask-wearing in public were to increase to 95%, 278,000 lives could be saved before the end of January 2021. Current situation • Exponential growth continues, with daily cases in the last week exceeding 100,000, up from 75,000 the week before (Figure 1).****
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