The Old Continent is in the "cyclone" of the Omicron mutation and has recently experienced an unprecedented spike in coronavirus cases. The sharp deterioration in epidemiological indicators has put the health authorities on high alert and they are drawing up a new policy of measures to build a wall of protection against Covid-19.
France, Britain and Italy[/B] are experiencing a rapid deterioration in the viral load, while the Iberian countries are also in an alarming situation.
Some European governments have opted for a mini-lockdown to deal with the crisis and others have stepped up vaccination campaigns, expanding booster dose programmes and reducing the time from the second to the third dose.
Although the Omicron variant is producing mild disease, which some experts say translates as the beginning of the end of the pandemic, it is still putting a strain on health systems.
One black record shatters another around the world, but in some European countries the situation with rising infections seems out of control. The hardest hit by the coronavirus onslaught is France, the country with the highest number of daily infections in all of Europe since the start of the pandemic.
The last 24 hours in France saw an all-time black record, with 271,686 cases of coronavirus, and all eyes are understandably turning to Emmanuel Macron's next moves.
The impact on hospitals has already been felt, with more than 2,000 admissions in one day, according to figures released yesterday by Santé publique France.
The increase in recorded cases is partly explained by an unprecedented number of PCR tests: eight million last week, according to Veran.
However, the epidemiological outbreak is real, as evidenced by the soaring "positivity rate". It exceeded 15%, close to the record levels of the autumn of 2020.
Although the number of infections is "vertiginous", as Veran reiterated, the French health minister insisted on the protection offered by vaccination, which remains largely effective against the severe forms of Covid-19.
"For one patient vaccinated with a booster dose, there are 20 unvaccinated patients in ICUs," Olivier Veran noted, defending the health pass put in place by the government.
Absolute black record in Britain, Johnson insists on avoiding lockdown
A new black record of cases, due to the sweeping onslaught of the Omicron mutation, is overshadowing normality in Britain. For the first time since the start of the pandemic, infections in the Old Albion have exceeded 200,000, leading Prime Minister Boris Johnson to make emergency statements.
In the last 24 hours, 218,724 cases of coronavirus were reported in Britain, while hospitalisations rose by 42%. In London, hospitalisations rose by 32%.
Britain is one of the few countries in Europe that have not imposed a cap on restaurant opening hours, but a short time ago it was decided to extend the compulsory use of masks and to extend the third dose by reducing the time, to three months, from the second, as well as the possibility of giving the booster dose to everyone over 18 years of age.
"We will find a way to live with the virus"
"The battle with coronavirus is not over," Boris Johnson asserted at a press conference from Downing Street.
He focused on the increased infections leading to the disruption of various sectors due to the many shortages that are occurring.
"We have the ability to deal with Omicron without shutting down the country," Johnson said at the press conference, sticking to positions on avoiding a total "shutdown" despite pressure from health officials. In his party, however, the more conservative Tories are reportedly vetoing further measures.
"We can leave schools and businesses open and find a way to live with the virus. We are working on the issue of shortages that will affect sectors because of increased infections," the British Prime Minister added.
The British government is also drawing up a plan for 100,000 workers in key sectors to be tested daily for coronavirus.
Over 80% protection from hospitalizations with the third dose
At the same time, the British Prime Minister focused on getting more vaccinations with the booster dose, saying that "at least nine million It is disheartening that 90% of people in intensive care have not had the booster dose and over 60% in intensive care are unvaccinated."
"It is disheartening that 90% of people in intensive care have not had the booster dose and over 60% in intensive care are unvaccinated. People are dying because they haven't had the vaccine," Johnson added.
As professor and expert panel member Chris Whitey also pointed out, booster doses prevent 88% of hospitalizations.
"We have evidence that the booster dose protects 88% against severe illness, hospitalization and death," the professor stressed, and urged anyone who has not received the booster dose not to delay it."
Italy on the rise in infections
In the last 24 hours, 170,844 cases of coronavirus were recorded in Italy and 259 people died. The death toll is the highest in nine months, and in terms of infections, it is an absolute negative record since the beginning of the pandemic. This deterioration is probably also due to the increase in interpersonal contacts due to the holidays.
In total, 1,228,410 diagnostic tests were carried out, 13.9% of which were positive. There are 1,392 patients with Covid-19 in the country's intensive care units, while 12,912 patients are in hospital wards.
Meanwhile, the Draghi government is in favour of the normal return of students to classrooms. The reopening of schools is set for Friday 7 or next Monday 10 January, depending on the districts. According to the Italian press, a threshold of positive cases will be set, beyond which pupils in each class will be quarantined, without discrimination between vaccinated and unvaccinated children and adolescents.
King and Queen of Sweden
King Charles Gustavus XVI and Queen Silvia of Sweden have been diagnosed with Covid-19, the Palace announced today.
The king and queen, who are fully vaccinated and on their third dose, have mild symptoms and are feeling well given the circumstances, the Palace said in the statement.
Meanwhile, the country set a new daily record for Covid-19 cases, recording 11,507 cases on December 30, according to Health Service figures released today, as the fourth wave of the virus sweeps the country and puts new pressure on the health system.
Daily infection figures are usually revised somewhat, as any late recordings of additional cases are added to the national total for a given day. The previous record of 11,376 cases was set in late December 2020.
The new wave of Covid-19 cases, partly due to the more contagious Omicron variant, hit Sweden later than its Scandinavian neighbours but in recent weeks has resulted in a sharp increase in cases and hospitalisations.
Source: protothema.gr
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