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The number of corona infections is increasing considerably across the continent. The big metropolises like Paris, Madrid or Berlin in particular are becoming critical points. An overview of current European virus sources.
Stand: October 9, 2020; Editorial staff; Grafik lsi
France and Spain: problem children from the south
France and Spain currently have the highest number of infections in Europe. Big cities like Paris, Marseille and Madrid gave up caution too quickly in September. This is now taking its toll with alarming weekly values of more than 250 infections per 100,000 inhabitants. The Spanish government has declared a state of emergency in Madrid.
In France and Spain, municipal authorities are closing bars and cafes; Restaurants must close at 10 p.m. in Paris and at 11 p.m. in Madrid. Even hosts often don’t know if or how they are affected. For example, Parisian brasseries stay open because they serve dishes; But they have to stop running the bar in the middle. Can such measures prevent the outbreak of a second corona wave?
Germany: No more parties in Berlin
The German capital is increasingly becoming a crown hotspot for the entire country. Berlin is officially a risk zone in the interior of Germany and is also on the Swiss risk list. Now the city is pulling on the emergency brake: starting Saturday, exit restrictions apply between 11pm and 6am in pubs and bars.
Additionally, overnight gatherings of more than five people are no longer allowed, and a maximum of ten people can gather for private celebrations indoors. The capital is reacting to the growing number of infections, especially in the trendy districts of Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg, Neukölln and Mitte. Berlin’s problems are above all the nightlife.
For weeks now there have been outdoor parties with DJs and hundreds of participants in the parks of the city of the 3.5 million metropolises, in numerous illegal bars and discos there are celebrations as if there had never been Corona – the public order authorities hardly they intervened. “The time for socializing is over. The situation in Berlin is dire, ”said Berlin Health Senator Dilek Kalayci.
Dramatic numbers in the UK
In view of the seemingly unstoppable rise in corona infections, the British face drastic restrictions. In the most populated part of Scotland with the metropolises of Edinburgh and Glasgow, pubs and restaurants have to close completely for 16 days starting on Friday; In the more rural areas, catering establishments cannot serve alcohol.
To contain the Sars-CoV-2 “we have to do more”, Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon justified the “short and hard crash” on Wednesday. Scientists also advise British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to take drastic measures. Until now, the whole country has to wear a mask in shops, buses and trains, as well as the so-called rule of six: meetings with only five other people are allowed inside and outside.
The fact that Johnson imposed a 10 p.m. curfew on the restaurant is a hotly debated issue in the country; In many places in inner cities, shortly after 10 pm, people gather around the supermarkets that are still open, where revelers stock up on household supplies. On average during the past week, 11,994 new infections and 53 deaths from Covid were reported nationwide, which is equivalent to doubling in fourteen days.
At the beginning of the week, the number of hospital admissions increased by a quarter; 83 percent of the most recent deaths from Covid-19 were in the worst affected regions of northern England.
Czech Republic and Hungary: Corona wreaks havoc in the east
In view of the record of infections, the Czech Republic (according to the WHO 800 cases per 100,000 inhabitants) pulled the umbilical cord: the state of emergency has been in force since last week. Above all, this means a restriction on freedom of assembly. The number of participants in the events was limited. In 10 of the 14 districts, all classes above the 10th grade were sent home school. Tougher measures were threatened. Due to the state of emergency, the government could decide this without the consent of parliament.
The number of infections has also been derailed in Austria (557 cases per 100,000 inhabitants). The main reason is the rapidly changing measurements. However, the figures have now stabilized at a high level.
In Hungary (333 cases per 100,000 inhabitants) the figures soared. In the first days of October, the authorities registered values that had not been seen since the start of the corona pandemic.
The same is true in Slovakia (247 cases per 100,000 inhabitants). There is also increasing pressure on the government. The indictment: No lessons were learned from the first wave of infections in spring.
Scandinavia: not very restrictive, despite the increase
While Finland and Norway show only a moderate increase in the number of cases, infections in Denmark and Sweden have recently increased more significantly, especially among young people and in cities. In an average of 7 days, Sweden is slightly below the value of Switzerland, Denmark slightly above; However, the country has the highest number of tests per capita in Europe, and the positive rate is only 1%, indicating that development is overlooked.
The Danish authorities have reintroduced some minor restrictions, such as that restaurants and bars must close at 10 p.m. Otherwise, Denmark and Sweden, which never had a closure, rely on recommendations: hygiene, distance, small private events, office at home. In both countries, however, you can see that people are adhering less than before the summer.
Since October 1, Sweden has once again allowed visits to nursing homes with certain restrictions; There is no obligation to wear a mask for the population. The number of deaths and intensive care patients has been very low for weeks; In Uppsala, however, there was a Covid outbreak at the university hospital.
Belgium and the Netherlands: Brussels is becoming a hotspot
In the Benelux countries of Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, new infections peaked. Therefore, countries are on the Swiss list of risk areas. The Netherlands recently reported more than 4,000 new cases per day out of a total of 17 million inhabitants. In Belgium, the figures are proportionally even higher.
After Madrid and Paris, the capital Brussels is one of the most polluted regions in Europe. Starting today, Thursday, bars and cafes in Brussels will have to close for at least a month. The so-called contact bubble was limited to four people.
The Netherlands, which has long handled the virus lightly, has also tightened the reins. A mask is not required, but covering your mouth and nose is highly recommended. Shops and bars close at 10 pm, sporting events take place without spectators. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte recently did not listen to frustrated football fans. “Just shut up,” he told her address.
