The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned European countries about “pandemic fatigue” which it says threatens the continent's ability to tackle the coronavirus.

“Although fatigue is measured in different ways, and levels vary per country, it is now estimated to have reached over 60 per cent in some cases,” WHO Europe director Dr Hans Kluge said, according to AFP.

He said this is based on “aggregated survey data from countries across the region”. Citizens have made “huge sacrifices” over the last eight months to try and contain the coronavirus, he said in a statement.

“In such circumstances it is easy and natural to feel apathetic and demotivated, to experience fatigue.”

Kluge called on European authorities to listen to the public and work with them in “new and innovative ways” to reinvigorate the fight against Covid-19, which is on the increase throughout Europe.