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The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that half of Europe will have caught the Omicron Covid variant within the next six to eight weeks.

Dr Hans Kluge, WHO鈥檚 Regional Director for Europe, said a "west-to-east tidal wave" of Omicron was sweeping across the region, on top of a surge in the Delta variant.

The projection was based on the seven million new cases reported across Europe in the first week of 2022.

Some nations, such as Bulgaria and France are considering new tougher measures like vaccine passports.

Dr Catherine Smallwood is a senior emergency officer with WHO, she says: 鈥淐ountries really need to look at their policies and make sure they are fit for purpose鈥�.

(Picture: A positive Corona rapid test is pictured in Berlin, Germany. Covid infection rates, after having fallen throughout December, are steadily rising in the new year across Europe as the Omicron variant continues to spread. Credit: Hannibal Hanschke/Getty Images)