Coronavirus: These countries have seen the second wave

These countries already had a second crown wave, and that is why they dominated it

While many countries in Europe are in the middle of the second crown wave, other countries have already left it behind. An overview.

Israel

Period: Israel had the first wave very well under control in March / April. As of September 2, the number of cases increased considerably, reaching the peak on October 2. On October 16, they went down again from September 2.

Of the following countries, which have already seen the second wave, Israel clearly recorded the highest number of infections per 100,000.

Activities: Israel became the first country in the world to enter a second blockade. This started on September 18, about two weeks before the large number of cases. Among other things, residents were only allowed to move within a radius of one kilometer from their place of residence, schools and restaurants, etc., were closed.

The lockdown was not planned until October 10, but was then extended until October 18. The inauguration has continued since then. First, kindergartens and playgroups were able to reopen, restaurants can offer take-out service, and freedom of movement has increased again.

>> Coronavirus: All the news in the live ticker

Surprising: although the measures were generally less stringent than in the first lockdown, the cases decreased faster. Why is not entirely clear. Eran Segal, a researcher at the Weizmann Institute, gives two reasons in his analysis: Masks (only existed in the second confinement) and the prohibition / closure of major events / schools (existed in both confinements).

Mortality: Israel had 113,724 new infections and 918 deaths as of August 31. 0.81 percent of those who tested positive died during this time. Since September 1, 195,802 cases have been registered and 1,475 have died. Mortality fell minimally to 0.75 percent. This made the mortality roughly the same in both waves.

Australia

Period: Australia reports quite a few cases (around 27,000) in terms of residents. The first wave of March ended quickly. The second wave began on July 1 and lasted until the end of August, about eight weeks. The state of Victoria with Melbourne was mainly affected, where more than 90 percent of deaths in the whole country are mourned.

Activities: On July 1 there was a shutdown in Melbourne and many suburbs. Bars, cinemas and museums had to close, the home office was recommended. Anyone who did not wear the mask outside had to pay a fine. As the numbers continued to rise, the borders with other federal states were closed.

The lockdown was extended and hardened on August 2 with a curfew from 8 pm to 5 am Even so, the new infections took about a month to disappear. Victoria’s Prime Minister Daniel Andrews has been criticized for his tough approach. But he stayed true to the strategy and was rewarded with falling numbers.

After the number of cases decreased, the restrictions were slowly relaxed again. The curfew was lifted on September 27. Three weeks later, up to ten people from two different households were able to gather outside again.

Since Wednesday, restaurants, bars and other shops have been allowed to reopen with limited guests. And as of November 8, the additional measures will be relaxed. From that moment on, you can go beyond 25 kilometers from home, open gyms and increase the limit of guests in restaurants.

Mortality: During the first wave, 104 people died as of June 30, corresponding to a mortality of 1.34 percent. In the second wave, this increased to 4.06 percent (801 deaths so far).

New Zealand

Period: New Zealand has only recorded 1,584 cases so far. It still appears on the list because the Kiwis implemented their “Go Hard, Go Early” strategy twice, hard and fast. The first wave ended in late April. The second came out on August 13, but it stayed very low and lasted around four weeks. Recently, there have already been signs of a third wave, if it can be talked about with these low case numbers.

Activities: In New Zealand the motto is: react fast and with drastic measures. The borders were closed on March 19 and have not been reopened since.

After the first wave, daily new infections returned to zero for the first time on May 4. Only 102 days later, an infection was again recorded in Auckland. When 17 people were infected on August 12, the government closed schools, kindergartens and irrelevant businesses in the city.

The urban blockade eased somewhat on August 30. Meetings were limited to 10 people. As of September 23, for example, meetings of up to 100 people became possible again.

Since October 7, Tier 1 has been back in effect across the country, meaning restrictions have been lifted, but skins are still recommended. According to experts, the fact that it was possible to keep new infections low is due to the quick and drastic measures that were taken at that time. Also, New Zealand’s location as (two) island states helps, facilitating isolation.

Mortality: So far there have only been 25 deaths in New Zealand. In the second wave, three of the 374 new infections were recorded. Therefore, the country was below two percent in both waves.

South Korea

Period: South Korea was one of the first countries affected, but it responded quickly. In mid-August there was a small second wave. But even this was quickly back under control. The numbers have been stable at a low level since October.

Activities: Among other things, South Korea relies on intensive contact tracking. In any positive case, the contacts must be found quickly and quarantined. Wearing a mask is deeply ingrained in culture. On August 15, when the second wave emerged, the authorities closed clubs, karaoke bars, buffet restaurants, and museums in Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi province, among others. In addition, gatherings of more than 50 people (inside) and 100 people (outside) were prohibited. As in New Zealand, a swift response with drastic measures helped contain the virus.

After the number of cases fell again on September 13, the measures were relaxed (in accordance with distance rules and mask requirements). There was further relaxation on October 12.

Mortality: In the first wave until July 31, 301 people (2.10 percent) died in 14,305 cases. Since Aug. 1, 156 of the 11,650 who tested positive have lost their lives (1.34 percent).

Japan

Period: Japan only had a small first wave in April. With almost 130 million inhabitants, the almost 20,000 cases are very deep. From July 1, the second wave recovered and lasted about two months until September 11. Since then, new infections have been stable again at a low level.

Activities: Japan closed its borders early. Even foreigners with residence permits were unable to enter the country for a long time. In the country with around 15 times more inhabitants than Switzerland, only around 100,000 new infections have been recorded so far (Switzerland 127,000). As with New Zealand, the country was more easily able to close its borders as an island.

There have been many puzzles as to why Japan, a country with several large cities and an elderly population, weathered the crisis so well and has only had 1,725 ​​deaths from Covid-19 so far.

There were no lockdowns or harsh measures, the population adhered to recommendations, such as wearing a mask or asking people to stay home.

The government continues to act early and decisively. And he recommended avoiding the following situations: Closed rooms with poor air circulation, crowds and close face-to-face conversations.

Mortality: It is striking how the death rate fell. At the end of June, it was 5.23 percent with 972 deaths. Since the start of the second wave, it has dropped to 0.95 percent (746 deaths out of 78,481 people who tested positive).

Ireland

Period: Ireland experienced the first wave from mid-March to mid-May. The second wave started on September 10. The country is still there, but there are signs that the peak passed on October 23.

Activities: Ireland entered the second lockdown on October 21. This should last for six weeks (until December 1). The most important rules are: Residents are asked to stay home. Sports are allowed within 5 kilometers of the place of residence. Restaurants may offer takeout or delivery service. Unlike the spring closure, schools will remain open this time. Today it seems as if the measures taken before the lockdown are already taking effect. But we have to wait for the next few days.

Mortality: In the first wave, 1,763 people died in Ireland due to Corona in late July (6.77 percent of those who tested positive). Since August 1, 119 of 31,101 cases (0.38 percent). However, the second wave is still running in Ireland. Deaths are likely to increase.

The situation in Europe

While Ireland is already showing signs of a downward trend, other European countries such as Switzerland, Spain, Italy, France, the Czech Republic, Great Britain, Austria, Germany, Belgium or the Netherlands are only at the beginning or in the middle of the season. second wave.

Measurements are a little different everywhere. In France, President Emmanuel Macron declared a new lockdown yesterday, there are partial closures in the Netherlands and Belgium, other countries are trying to overcome the second wave without closures. The objective is that the health system does not collapse, which has not happened in any European country in the second wave.