The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) forecasts a sharp rise in the number of coronavirus cases, with a report on Friday stating that it could increase almost fivefold by 1 August.
The projected increase in the number of infections is due to the spread of the most contagious delta variant of the virus, as well as the easing of restrictions in European countries.
In the week ending August 1, there are expected to be 420 cases per 100,000 people, up from 90 last week, according to an ECDC weekly report.
The ECDC region includes the European Union (EU) as well as Iceland and Norway.
One week later, the number of new cases will exceed 620 per 100,000 inhabitants.
The number of hospitalizations and deaths is also expected to increase, although in these areas the increase will not be as rapid thanks to vaccination campaigns, according to ECDC.
In most countries, hospitalization rates remain stable, but Covid-19-related deaths are projected to return to more than ten per 1,000,000 population, up from 6.8 last week.
ECDC predicts that the number of infections will increase in 20 countries and the number of deaths in nine – Greece, Cyprus, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain.
“In most affected countries, the fastest growth and highest reported morbidity rates are reported among 15- to 24-year-olds, with limited increases among those over 65,” the ECDC statement said.
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