Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2022-07-18 Origin: Site
Recently, new subtypes of the new coronavirus Omicron strains BA.4 and BA.5 have accelerated their spread in Europe, setting off a new wave of infections. Compared with the previous strains, these two new subtypes are more infectious and immune escape capability, posing a huge challenge to the prevention and control of the epidemic. Many experts warn that if Europe continues to take lax preventive and control measures, it may face a more serious situation in the summer and autumn of this year.
Outbreak returns to Europe
Over the past two weeks, the number of new infections has increased by 30% worldwide due to the rapid spread of new subtypes of the Omicron strain BA.4 and BA.5. World Health Organization Director General Desmond Tan warned on December 12 that the new crown virus is spreading freely, that many countries are not managing the disease effectively according to their capacity, and that the number of hospitalizations for acute cases and the number of people with long-term new crown pneumonia symptoms are increasing. There is a serious disconnect between the global scientific community, political leaders and the public in terms of perceptions of the risk of neo-coronavirus. The new wave of viral arrivals is another indication that the New Crown epidemic is far from over.
In Europe and the United States, new subtypes of the Omicron strain BA.4 and BA.5 are triggering a new wave of the epidemic.
France is being challenged by the 7th wave of Neoplasma, with the number of confirmed cases exceeding 200,000 in a single day and 12% of confirmed Neoplasma cases being "repeat infections".
Italy and Germany are also performing poorly. Italy's daily number of confirmed new cases has rebounded to nearly 100,000. According to data released by the Robert Koch Institute, Germany's federal disease control agency, Germany's national incidence rate of 700.3 per 100,000 people over a seven-day period has again surpassed the 700 mark.
The number of cases per week in Hungary is also increasing by double-digit percentages. In addition to the increase in the number of cases, hospitalizations for new coronary pneumonia in Hungary more than doubled from 233 to 488 patients in a week. Among Hungary's neighbors, Slovenia and Croatia also saw a significant increase in the number of cases.
In addition, Polish Deputy Minister of Health Kraska recently said that there has been a considerable increase in the number of confirmed cases of new coronary in Poland recently, which has increased by more than 100% if compared week by week.
In Spain, the epidemic is also worsening, with the number of confirmed cases in the 60+ age group on the rise and hospitalizations continuing to increase, putting the healthcare system under enormous pressure in many areas.
Latvia has recently seen a surge in the number of confirmed new coronary cases, with the daily number of new cases
reaching its highest level since April 21 of this year. Latvian CDC expert Juris Perevohikovs noted that infection rates are soaring not only in Latvia, but throughout Europe.
Rethinking outbreak prevention and control policies
In response to the massive rebound of the epidemic, some European medical officials and medical experts began to reflect on the "lie flat" epidemic prevention and control policy.
The Italian Ministry of Health adviser pointed out that the Italian government's abandonment of all approaches to contain the outbreak in the name of reopening the country is the biggest reason for the resumption of the spread of the New Guinea virus. "We are in the midst of a strong pandemic wave that we could have avoided if all epidemic prevention measures had not been removed."
Giovanni Reza, director of the Department of Preventive Health at the Italian Ministry of Health, provided insight into the shortcomings in Italy's response to the new crown epidemic, arguing that it is necessary to fully learn from previous lessons, adopt a more aggressive response, and focus on vulnerable groups such as children under the epidemic.
At present, as warned by Tandse on the 12th, the rising number of new crown cases has put further pressure on health systems and health workers in many European countries. According to the latest report, 55% of intensive care units in Germany have reported "limited" or "partially limited" operational capacity. Márquez, president of the German Association of Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine, said there are also a large number of infections within the health system, while health care workers who have been overworked are due for a summer break and must be re-staffed.
A senior Hungarian medical expert pointed out that the lack of epidemiological preparation and incomplete information have made Hungary a victim of the 6th wave of the epidemic.
Some politicians speak out
Not only medical experts, but also European politicians such as Latvian Prime Minister Karins are reflecting on the epidemic prevention and control policies. He called on the public to observe the epidemiological rules of prevention and control in order to avoid infecting themselves and others.
At the same time, other European officials in charge of health care reiterated the importance of wearing masks and other epidemic prevention measures.
Kraska noted, "If there is a sharp increase in infection rates, we will take certain measures and advise older people with multiple diseases and immune deficiencies to wear masks in higher risk areas, such as when travelling on public transport."
For her part, Andrea Amon, director of the European CDC, called for a second booster shot in a statement, saying, "We are currently seeing increasing rates of New Coronavirus infections in some countries, driven by a new subtype of the New Coronavirus Omicron strain, and rising rates of hospitalization and intensive care unit use for New Coronavirus infections. "
According to Amon, this marks the start of a new, widespread wave of neo-crown outbreaks in the EU, and a second booster dose given now to those over 60 years of age and those with weakened immune systems could prevent a large number of hospitalizations, serious illnesses and deaths.
In addition, Massimo, a top Italian epidemiologist, recently analyzed the secondary risks of "long-term neostriatal" from a professional point of view, citing the latest British study in a sub-publication of The Lancet and the latest German clinical findings in the Journal of Hepatology. He suggested that "the new crown epidemic will not end easily" and "something should be done to prevent and control the epidemic".
