European Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides said the lockdown should immediately consider stepping up the genetic sequencing of cases of the infection. with covid-19 And wastewater monitoring, even at airports, to monitor each new strain of the virus, given the increase in infections in China.
In a letter to 27 EU health ministers, he added that the bloc should exercise “extreme vigilance” as China lifted travel restrictions on Jan. 8, with reliable data on the epidemiological situation and exams there.
Corona check
Corona check
Kyriakides advised ministers to evaluate their current practices regarding genetic sequencing of the coronavirus “as an immediate step”.
And I wrote to them that countries that have reduced the frequency of these controls should consider intensifying them again, adding that it is important to continue or start monitoring wastewater, especially from large airports.
He indicated that the conglomerate needs timely monitoring of any new strains that appear in order to move quickly.
The letter from the European health commissioner, dated December 29, followed an online meeting of more than 100 representatives from bloc countries, health agencies and the World Health Organization to discuss how to tackle the outbreak in China.
A European Union source said health experts were expected to hold a meeting on how to deal with the crisis next week.
Italy has urged the rest of the European Union to follow suit and conduct checks for those arriving from China, but most countries in the bloc have not seen the need. Kyriakides said some member states have proposed measures such as random screening of travellers.
