1.5 million confirmed in a week … “Europe has once again become the epicenter of the crown”

The European Commissioner of the World Health Organization, Hans Kluge, feared that “Europe has once again become the epicenter of Corona 19” on 29 (local time) last month. [AP=연합뉴스]

The epidemic of a new coronavirus infection (Corona 19) in Europe is entering its worst phase. With around 280,000 new confirmed cases a day and the spread gradually deepening, the UK and France are taking emergency measures, such as entering a second lockdown.

The director for Europe of the World Health Organization (WHO), Hans Cluge, said in an emergency meeting with the European health ministers on 29 last month (local time), “Approximately 1.5 million confirmed cases of corona19 have occurred in continental Europe during the last 7 days. ” It is the highest record since the (global pandemic) occurred. “” Today, the cumulative number of confirmed cases in continental Europe exceeded 10 million, “he said.” Europe has once again become the epicenter of Corona 19. ” , said.

In fact, according to the WHO weekly report published on the 27th of last month, the number of new cases in continental Europe in the third week of October was 13,35,914. This corresponds to 46% of new cases in the world, and it is more than the Americas (31%), which has an overwhelming number of accumulated cases of corona19. In particular, the number of new confirmed cases increases by 36% in one week and the spread is rapid.

A weekly report published by the World Health Organization on the 27th of last month. New confirmed cases of corona19 in continental Europe accounted for 46% of confirmed cases in the world. [세계보건기구 제공]

The number of deaths and hospitalizations for Corona 19 has also risen sharply. Director Kluge feared that “the hospitalization of Corona 19 patients has increased to a level that has not been present since last spring.” “As the virus spread to the elderly group, the number of deaths increased by 32% in one week.” Corona 19 deaths in Europe amount to about 15,000 per week.

As the situation in Europe worsens, an analysis suggests that a medical crisis may occur like in March. As a result of data from 35 out of 52 European countries, the number of patients hospitalized and treated for Corona 19 increased from 100,000 to 135,000 in one week. Among them, at least 14 countries, including the Czech Republic, Romania, and Belgium, had the highest number of Corona-related hospitalized patients 19.

“Last March, we suffered from the lack of an intensive care unit, respiratory equipment and personal protection, but this time we are concerned about the problem of manpower in the medical field,” said Kluge. “All of our medical staff are exhausted and the medical workforce is exhausted. It’s done, ”he said.

As the reproliferation of Corona 19 intensified, European countries withdrew a re-lock card, which had refrained from doing so due to the economic recession.

On the 28th of last month (local time), French President Emmanuel Macron announced a second blockade. [AP=연합뉴스]

France, which is the hardest hit by Corona 19 in Europe, with more than 50,000 confirmed cases per day, has imposed a blockade across France for at least a month starting at midnight on the 30th of last month. It is the second time since March that a blockade has been imposed on France.

All “non-essential workplaces”, including restaurants and bars, should be closed, and all workplaces should work from home, if possible. In exceptional cases, such as buying basic necessities, going to work or for medical reasons, you can go out, but when you go out, you must have a mobility certificate.

Britain, with more than 1 million cumulative cases confirmed on the 31st of last month, imposed lockdowns on England for four weeks starting on the 5th. It is the second lockdown since last March. As a result, from the 5th to the 2nd of the following month, non-essential businesses such as bars, restaurants and sports facilities across England will be suspended. However, unlike the first lockdown, schools and universities are open.

On the 31st of last month (local time), British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that a second blockade will be imposed on England starting on the 5th. [AP=연합뉴스]

Germany also enters a lockdown of closing the doors of restaurants, pubs, cinemas and theaters for four weeks from the 2nd. Instead, shops and schools operate as they are. According to CNN on the 28th of last month, German Chancellor Angela Merkel suggested the possibility of a total blockade, saying: “In the next two weeks, the blockade of Germany will be reviewed.”

Italy, which broke the record for two days in a row, surpassing the 30,000 new confirmed patients on the 30th and 31st of last month, has also restricted the opening hours of restaurants and bars to 6:00 p.m. since the 26 of last month, and has closed cinemas, swimming pools and gyms. There are blocking measures. According to the WP, Italy’s move is the most intense since the total lockdown in May.

Belgium, which has the highest number of corona19 cases per million in Europe, will also go into partial lockdown by closing non-essential workplaces from 2 to 13 next month.

Reporter Seok Kyung-min [email protected]