The World Health Organization said COVID-19 cases in Europe increased by five percent in the past week, making it the new global epicenter of the virus.
WHO said COVID-related deaths in all regions except Europe remained stable or have declined.
Of the 3.3 million new infections reported, 2.1 million were from Europe.
Infections have been falling in Southeast Asia, Africa and the Middle East, the United Nations health agency.
European leaders are scrambling to contain the virus surge before the holidays.
Spain will provide COVID booster shots for those aged 60 and over as well as health staff, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said as infection numbers rise.
Spain has one of the highest COVID-19 vaccination rates of Europe's big nations. Around 79 percent of Spain's entire population is fully vaccinated, compared to just 68 percent in Britain and Germany and 75 percent in France.
Austria became the first country in the European Union to impose a lockdown on the unvaccinated and start inoculating children as young as five after coronavirus cases surged across the continent.
Latvia, which is also lagging behind on vaccination, similarly brought in tougher curbs for people who are not inoculated which will mean companies can dismiss employees who refuse the vaccine.
France has re-introduced mandatory mask-wearing and toughened entry requirements from a raft of countries, while a draft German law seen by AFP would re-introduce widespread home working. With AFP