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Several countries in Europe are struggling with major new virus outbreaks and have introduced a number of strict new restrictions, including France, the United Kingdom and Italy. In Denmark, all unnecessary travel abroad is now discouraged and North Jutland has been closed for fear that declining crews will transmit the infection to humans.
– The level of infection throughout Europe is extremely high and in a large number of countries it is higher this week than last, Erik Brøgger Rasmussen of the Danish Foreign Ministry told Ritzau news agency on Thursday.
In Norway, the country is approaching “a tipping point” for the spread of the infection, according to Prime Minister Erna Solberg, and Norwegians are being urged to stay home. During week 44, 3,073 new cases of covid-19 were registered, an increase of 79 percent compared to the previous week.
A covid patient is being treated at a hospital in Brest, France.
Photo: Loic Venance / AFP
The number is also increasing in Sweden The infection confirmed at a rapid rate and the increased spread of the infection has also started to be reflected in the number of deaths. More than 6,000 people have died so far. In Skåne, Östergötland, Västra Götaland and Stockholm, among others, the regions have introduced local restrictions. On Thursday, councils tightened in two more regions: Södermanland and Kronoberg. A total of 137,730 Swedes tested positive for the new coronavirus.
The WHO takes the situation in Europe seriously and warns of an explosive course with a steeply rising curve of new cases.
– It will be a bit difficult, we have to be honest about that, says Hans Kluge at a press conference on Thursday.
To emphasize the seriousness, Hans Kluge wore mouth guards during the press conference, despite the fact that it was done digitally. The head of the WHO also said that it is seen how mortality is increasing “little by little”.
Read more: These are the restrictions in your region
Empty streets in London after England entered a new blockade due to the rapid increase in the drop in covid.
Photo: Dave Rushen / TT
According to the latest statistics of the European Agency for the Control of Communicable Diseases ECDC, more than 11 million people have been confirmed infected in Europe, of which France (1,543,321), Spain (1,284,408), United Kingdom (1,099,059) and Italy (790,377) are the most affected. The death toll in Europe is 282,365.
Despite the alarming development, the WHO believes that schools can remain open because children are not the main propagators.
– We cannot afford a lost covid-19 generation, says Kluge.
Achieving just the status quo for the spread of the infection is insufficient, says Hans Kluge, who instead called on country leaders to be prepared to introduce proportionally targeted measures that can be scaled up. The restrictions that are introduced must also endure over time.
The WHO chief also called for the widespread use of face masks. According to Kluge, a blanket court order on oral protection coupled with strict social control can save around 266,000 lives through February across the European region, writes AFP.
