European international locations have damaged new COVID-19 case data a number of occasions this week because the extremely transmissible omicron variant continues to sweep across the globe.
An Imperial College London study printed December 22 appears to bolster research by South African scientists that means that, in contrast with the delta variant, omicron is much less more likely to result in hospitalization.
However the World Well being Group has warned that the concurrent unfold of the omicron and delta variants may overwhelm well being care techniques.
In response to the WHO’s data, a complete of about 6.5 million instances have been detected between December 22 and 28 worldwide. Greater than half of the infections have been in Europe, the place a number of international locations have reported report every day numbers.
After the omicron variant was detected in South Africa, European international locations have been among the many first to report instances. Now, omicron is quick turning into the dominant model in lots of locations.
Listed here are the most recent updates from throughout the European Union:
France
French authorities reported a report 208,000 new coronavirus instances in 24 hours on Wednesday, by far the very best every day quantity because the begin of the pandemic. It’s the third time this week that France has smashed its personal report. The earlier report, 180,000, was set on Tuesday.
French knowledge reveals an increase in hospitalizations and ICU occupancy however fewer deaths. On Tuesday, France recorded 290 COVID-19 deaths, 484 folks hospitalized and 83 folks in ICU beds.
Germany
German well being authorities reported 42,770 new corona infections Wednesday, 16,748 of which have been attributed to the omicron variant. On Tuesday, Germany noticed a forty five% surge in its every day new an infection instances.
The RKI has warned that these figures won’t be dependable, partly due to delayed experiences over the vacation season and partly as a result of fewer folks get examined.
To comprise infections, restrictive authorities measures on nightclubs, sports activities occasions and public gatherings got here into impact on Monday. Fireworks shows, a well-liked type of celebrating the brand new 12 months in Germany, have been canceled for the second 12 months in a row.
Italy
After detecting a fast-spreading wave of infections with the omicron variant about two weeks in the past, Italian well being authorities warned that the prevailing quarantine guidelines would possibly paralyze the nation by forcing hundreds of thousands of individuals to remain at residence.
On Wednesday, as Italy registered a report 98,030 new COVID-19 instances, the federal government eased self-isolation guidelines for individuals who had come into contact with somebody who’d examined constructive for the coronavirus if they’ll present proof of being vaccinated or having just lately recovered from COVID-19.
Portugal
Portugal, too, reported record-high every day coronavirus instances on Tuesday. The nation has one of the highest vaccination rates in the world.
Virtually 90% of Portugal’s 10.3 million folks have been absolutely vaccinated, and greater than 2.4 million have acquired booster pictures.
Well being authorities in Portugal registered 26,867 every day new infections on Wednesday, breaking the earlier report of 16,432 set on January 28, 2021, when the alpha variant unfold throughout Southern Europe. Nonetheless, compared with the earlier an infection waves, the hospitalization price stays decrease.
A surge in infections has led some international locations to shorten the time between vaccinations and boosters.
To curb the surge of infections, the federal government has imposed restrictions and expanded necessities for vaccine certificates and masks, mandating distant work, and shutting bars and nightclubs.
College holidays have been additionally prolonged till January 9 as a way to scale back social contacts following the vacation season.
Denmark
Denmark recorded 23,228 new instances of COVID-19 in its newest every day totals on Wednesday, breaking the earlier report set on Monday by over 7,000.
Final week, because the nation ramped up testing, Danmark was reported to have the world’s highest an infection price per particular person.
Since mid-December, the Denish authorities have enforced new restrictive measures, like shutting down theatres, cinemas, live performance halls, amusement parks, museums, and artwork galleries.
Spain
The nation’s Well being Ministry reported 100,760 new instances on Wednesday, the very best quantity in a single day because the virus was first recognized within the nation. It is double the earlier report, established simply final week.
“After virtually two years dwelling with the virus, we are able to draw classes from science and expertise: at present we’re higher ready and guarded towards omicron than a 12 months in the past,” stated the Spanish President Pedro Sánchez, in a press convention on Wednesday.
The omicron wave despatched the Netherlands into lockdown this Christmas
Greece
Greece reported a brand new every day excessive of 28,828 coronavirus instances on Wednesday, greater than twice the day past’s degree.
“We’re coming into the (interval of) prevalence of the omicron variant in Greece,” Greek well being minister Thanos Plevris stated in a press convention on Monday.
The federal government introduced tighter curbs to comprise infections, concentrating on primarily night-time leisure venues. In response to new measures, high-protection masks could be obligatory at supermarkets, public transport, eating places, and cafés.
Netherlands
Not like many different international locations in Europe, Netherlands is reporting a lower in its every day COVID-19 an infection charges. On Tuesday, Nederland’s Nationwide Institute for Public Well being (RIVM) announced that the nation’s weekly an infection instances dropped 11% from the earlier week, whereas 26% fewer new hospitalizations have been reported.
After the primary instances of an infection with the omicron variant have been detected within the Netherlands in late November, the Dutch authorities introduceda brand new set of lockdown measures. Public venues comparable to bars, sports activities halls and museums and nonessential companies have been shut down December 19.
Edited by: Nicole Goebel
