London, Dec 21 (IANS): Amid fears over a highly infectious new mutant strain of the novel coronavirus found in Britain, a group of more than 300 leading scientists across the globe are calling for European governments to work together in managing the pandemic and make a clear commitment to Covid-19 case number targets.

The letter, co-authored by Dr Deepti Gurdasani from Queen Mary University of London and coordinated by Viola Priesemann from the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization in Gottingen, Germany, was published in the journal The Lancet.

It highlights how uncontrolled spread in one region can put the successful management of the pandemic in other regions at risk, suggesting a common vision is needed to achieve this goal.

"Across Europe, the Covid-19 pandemic is causing excess deaths, placing a burden on societies and health systems, and harming the economy," the experts wrote.

"Yet European governments have yet to develop a common vision to guide the management of the pandemic."

The letter outlines the need for a pan-European commitment to reducing and maintaining case numbers for Covid-19 at very low levels to protect people's health, society and economies.

"With open borders across Europe, a single country alone cannot keep the number of Covid-19 cases low; thus joint action and common goals among countries are essential," the authors wrote.

"We, therefore, call for a strong, coordinated European response and clearly defined goals for the medium and long term."

To better manage the Covid-19 pandemic, the scientists proposed aiming for a target of no more than 10 new Covid-19 cases per million people per day, with synchronisation across all European countries so that SARS-CoV-2 infections are not imported across borders.

With continued and improved mitigation measures -- such as mask wearing, hygiene, moderate contact reduction, testing and contact tracing -- a strategy for delivering at least 300 tests per million people per day, and rapid response to local outbreaks could help better manage the pandemic, said the experts.

They also proposed developing a longer-term Europe-wide common vision.

"We urge governments throughout Europe to agree on clearly formulated common goals, to coordinate their efforts, to develop regionally adapted strategies to reach the goals, and thereby work resolutely towards low case numbers," the scientists wrote.