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Almost half of all new coronavirus infections in the world are cases in Europe, warns the World Health Organization. COVID-19 is back at the peak of the holiday season. The situation is as serious as it was last year when we faced the wave of infection. However, the difference is significant – now we are doing virtually nothing to contain the virus.
- The WHO warns that it is in Europe that the number of new infections is rising the most
- While the statistics are disturbing, governments are not taking more firm steps to contain the coronavirus wave
- According to experts, it is a mistake that we are allowing the coronavirus to circulate and mutate freely
- You can find more such stories on the TvoiLokony home page
The WHO recently reported that the number of COVID-19 cases in Europe has tripled in the past six weeks. There are also more and more patients in hospitals. Fortunately, the number of serious cases requiring admission to intensive care units remains low.
The cause of the “confusion” is the new Omicron sub-variants BA.5 and BA.2. They are driving the summer tide that is spreading across Europe.
WHO Regional Director for Europe, Dr. Hans Henri P. Kluge, warned: “It is absolutely clear that we are in a similar situation to that of last summer.” The difference, however, is significant – it is a reaction to the increasing number of cases, or rather… the lack of it.
It seems Europe no longer treats the coronavirus as a threat, but is learning how to live with the disease. The borders are open, there are no covid passports, mandatory masks or other restrictions. Life returned to normal, tourists went on vacation. But what will be the consequences of this “holiday loosening”?
The closer it was to the start of the tourist season, the more countries decided to lift pandemic restrictions. Even though the number of cases is very high, nothing is heard of any restrictions.
This is the case, for example, in France, where almost 26 people were detected on July 90. coronavirus infections. But the increases can be seen practically everywhere, also in typical holiday destinations.
ABC News cites the Greek Ministry of Health that cases of infection are concentrated in popular tourist areas. In this country, about 20 thousand. new infections.
From mid-June, infections are also increasing in Italy. Currently, it can be seen that the wave in this country is slightly subsiding, but still around 50-60 thousand people are recorded every day. infections.
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The 2022 vacation for tourists is back to normal. There are no tests, no masks, no restrictions, no social distance.
However, according to some experts, a strategy to combat a pandemic based solely on vaccine reliance is premature. Mainly because the virus is unpredictable, as we have already seen several times.
Adam Macneil, professor of immunology at Brock University, told ABC News: «We have gone from the Delta era to the Omicron era and now we are in the stage of many Omicron sub-variants. It is now clear that vaccines alone are not enough ».
Experts remind us that when we let the virus circulate unchecked, the risk of new mutations developing increases. Unfortunately, often successive versions of the coronavirus “run away” from immunity caused by vaccination or disease.
Moreover, the percentage of vaccinated persons is still not high enough to base the strategy of fighting the epidemic on vaccination. The WHO is now encouraging governments to step up vaccination campaigns, especially with fall and winter as more infections are expected.
Prof. Macneil argues that an effective strategy should be based on three pillars: vaccinations, masks and better ventilation of confined spaces.