COPENHAGEN, Oct. 6 (Xinhua) -- As countries across the European region are reporting rising levels of COVID-19 fatigue, the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe on Tuesday shared regional experience and called for collective commitment to addressing the pandemic fatigue.
"Based on aggregated survey data from countries across the region, we can see, not surprisingly, that fatigue among those surveyed is increasing," said Hans Kluge, WHO regional director for Europe, in a statement released here on Tuesday.
"Although fatigue is measured in different ways, and levels vary per country, it is now estimated to have reached over 60 percent in some cases," he noted.
Convened by WHO Europe on Monday, chief medical officers and director generals of health from over 30 countries in the region discussed solutions to help reinvigorate and revive efforts to tackle the alarming rise in COVID-19 fatigue.
In the statement, Kluge advocated for engaging expertise beyond the medical and public health sectors to discuss measures and restrictions.
Meantime, Kluge cited innovations in Denmark and Norway that were addressing "individual experiences and cultural nuances" as courageous approaches, with empathy at their core, saying these innovations are able to "get us through this crisis."
Kluge said that the needs of citizens should be met in new and innovative ways while combating the fatigue with the approaching of celebration season in the region.
"We have seen the effectiveness of floating cinemas, new format cultural events, and social bubbles. By balancing science, social and political needs we can develop precautionary measures that are culturally accepted," said Kluge.
In a newly released framework of "Pandemic fatigue -- Reinvigorating the public to prevent COVID-19," WHO Europe provides key considerations for the planning and implementation of national and subnational strategies to maintain and reinvigorate the public support to prevent COVID-19.
"WHO will establish an ongoing forum to drive action and inform local COVID-19 responses that engage communities and meet the needs of our populations," said Kluge. Enditem
