In several European countries, the number of coronavirus cases is expected to increase towards winter. WHO’s region-specific data show that corona cases increased at the beginning of October only in the European region.
20.10. 11:30•Updated 20.10. 12:07 p.m
Finnish schools are celebrating autumn holidays this week and next week, and many have gone to European countries on their vacations. We found out what the corona situation is like in Europe at the moment.
In several countries around the world, travel restrictions during the corona period have been completely waived. Recently, for example, Japan and Canada have given up all their corona restrictions.
In Finland, it was reported on Tuesday that the coronavirus is being removed from the list of universally dangerous infectious diseases.
At the same time, European countries are preparing for the worsening corona situation towards winter. Disease cases have started to rise on the eve of the school children’s autumn vacation.
The pandemic is not over yet
The latest from the health organization WHO report (you switch to another service) according to the disease situation in Europe is on the rise again, but the corona epidemic does not seem to be accelerating.
According to the latest WHO figures, a total of 1.6 million new corona infections were reported in Europe last week. The decrease compared to the previous week was three percent.
The European director of the WHO and the director of the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control, ECDC, reminded in their joint statement last week that the pandemic is not over yet, even though the situation is better compared to last fall.
– A new wave of infections has started in Europe, the statement states.
WHO region-specific data showed that only in Europe did corona cases increase at the beginning of October.
Germany leads the world’s corona statistics
In Germany, the number of corona infections is clearly on the rise. More than half a million new corona cases were reported in the country last week. The number is more than in any other country in the world.
During one day in Germany was reported (you move to another service) this week more than 150,000 confirmed cases and 209 corona deaths. According to a report by the RKI, the German infectious disease expert institute, cases of the disease have become more common in the 50-84 age group.
Germany’s health minister has called on the country to consider stepping up its anti-coronavirus measures.
More than 106,400 confirmed infections have been reported in one day this week in France. In Greece and Italy, more than 55,000 infections have been recorded in one day.
In Spain, just over 2,000 confirmed infections have been reported in one day. Masks are still mandatory in Spain and Germany in public transport and on airplanes.
The vaccine still protects well
Omikro, with its various subvariants, has remained the dominant form of the coronavirus. The current omicron mutation is milder than previous mutations, but serious forms of the disease are constantly being monitored.
The new coronavirus variant BF.7 is quickly gaining dominance in various parts of China. In some European countries, almost every fifth infection is caused by a new variant.
The actual number of infections is not known, as not all infected people undergo laboratory tests. Corona is probably circulating in the population considerably more than the official figure. However, the population already has good protection against serious disease.
Experts think that vaccine fatigue will reduce the application for booster vaccinations in the European region. In Europe, vaccine coverage is 69 percent. Vaccines still provide good protection against a severe form of the disease.
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SOURCES: AP, REUTERS