The arrows pointed for a long time in the right direction in Europe, where vaccination coverage went up and infection rates went down. Country after country eased infection control measures, and the everyday lives of millions of people began to resemble normal.
A few months later, in early November, the World Health Organization (WHO) sounded the alarm again. Once again, Europe was the place in the world with the most infection.
– We are at a new critical point in the pandemic. If we do not change course, we will experience another half a million corona-related deaths in Europe and Central Asia by the first of February 2022, warned WHO’s Europe chief Hans Kluge.
At the end of November, when the omicron variant of the coronavirus gained a foothold in Europe, the infection pressure was further intensified – a variant which, according to the WHO, spreads significantly faster than previous mutations.
But at the same time as several countries are passing new, gloomy milestones, the infection is plummeting in some places. This is the infection situation in Europe now:
Christmas Eve spoiled: – Very special
Opens the community
Several infection records have been set Norway this month, both in Oslo and nationally. The peak was reached on December 15, when 6003 corona infections were registered in one day. Since then, infection rates have gradually declined, and on Friday, 4,312 new infections were registered.
This may be due to the fact that the contact-limiting measures that were introduced on Wednesday last week have an effect on the infection pressure.
– It is gratifying to see that the infection rates are not increasing. It may be a sign that the measures are working, said Minister of Health and Care Services Ingvild Kjerkol to Dagbladet on Tuesday.
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I Austria is the infection situation better than in a long time. On Monday, the health authorities reported less than 1,800 new cases of infection, which is the lowest since October.
At the end of November, the country was up in as many as 13,000 daily cases. The country shut down completely for almost three weeks – which apparently gave results. On December 12, the restrictions were lifted for vaccinated people.
Austria has introduced strict rules for visitors, to avoid a new wave of infection. Visitors must show proof of vaccination or document that they are healthy after infection to enter the country, as well as present a negative PCR test.
Also in Belgium the infection trend is declining. However, the government has chosen to introduce some measures to keep the omicron variant under control. This means, among other things, that cinemas and theaters must close, while museums, libraries and gyms can still keep their doors open.
Disappointing omikron message
Massive fifth wave
However, the situation is not the same throughout Europe – in several places the trend is still rising.
It includes, among other things Denmark, which on Tuesday set a new 24-hour record with over 13,000 new cases of infection. Also in Sweden – which on Saturday introduced several new measures – the infection pressure is high.
I The Netherlands a comprehensive shutdown was introduced on 18 December. The new restrictions mean that all non-essential businesses must close. Restaurants, gyms, cinemas will also have to be closed in the coming weeks. The number of visitors that a household can have at one time is also reduced from four to two, except on Christmas Eve and the first day of Christmas.
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Of Germany Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach fears that the country is facing a fifth wave of infections driven by the omicron variant.
– I expect a massive wave. We must assume that the omicron variant, which we now face, and which in my view we can not prevent, will pose a major challenge for our health care system and for society as a whole, he said last week and emphasized that the consequences for society can be great even whether the symptoms of the disease may prove to be weaker.
NIPH would remove the color map
Over 100,000 infected
The last 24 hours have Great Britain registered record 119,789 cases of infection, writes Sky News. In addition, another 147 people have died with corona.
France reports over 91,000 infected, which is the highest number in a day since the start of the pandemic – despite the fact that the lane introduced strict measures earlier this month.
– Today’s infection pressure is not good, says Minister of Health Olivier Véran, according to Reuters.
Has an understanding of criticism
Also Italy registered on Thursday the highest number so far in the pandemic, with 44,600 detected cases of infection. The previous infection record was set in November last year with 41,000 cases. The government is reintroducing mandatory bandages outdoors as a result of the infection situation. In addition, people must have a corona passport for everything from museum visits to public transport. New Year’s celebrations outdoors are forbidden, and discos must be closed all year round.
Tuesday also reached Spain a new peak of infection, with almost 50,000 registered cases. The previous peak was from January, with 44,357 new cases.
The majority of the new infected only get mild symptoms, the country’s health ministry states.
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