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Coronavirus in Great Britain
British doctors have identified a new variant of the coronavirus, which perhaps spreads faster from person to person.
The world did not rejoice for long with the start of vaccination against the coronavirus. European countries are actively introducing hard locks, and in Britain they even say they have discovered a new strain of the disease.
Research in Great Britain
British Health Minister Matt Hancock said infections with the new strain of coronavirus are being noted in hospitals in 60 districts of Britain. Now, he said, the strain is being studied at a military laboratory in Porton Down, near Salisbury. The World Health Organization has already been alerted about the new strain.
At the same time, as Hancock said, experts believe that promising coronavirus vaccines will work successfully in the new strain.
“We have identified around a thousand cases of this variant, mainly in the south of England,” he said.
Such prevalence of the new strain of the virus, perhaps, is due to the fact that it is transmitted rapidly between people, added the minister. However, for now, experts can’t say for sure. Furthermore, according to him, there is no indication that those infected with the new strain have a more serious disease.
“Regardless of the reasons, we must take decisive action quickly. Unfortunately, this is absolutely necessary to keep this deadly disease under control,” the minister said.
Seal
Against the background of such news from Britain, Germany decided to introduce the toughest quarantine in the country’s history. On Sunday Angela Merkel said the country has recorded record rates of morbidity and mortality.
Non-priority stores, hair salons, beauty salons and schools are closing from Wednesday. Companies are encouraged to extend their employees’ Christmas holidays as much as possible and to provide work from home.
Meetings with companies in homes, even at Christmas, will be limited. Street celebrations and the sale of fireworks are also prohibited.
“All this will leave its mark on the holidays, we know it. But the situation forces us to take that step,” Angela Merkel said.
The blockade will last until January 10, but this period can be extended. According to the head of the foreign ministry, Helga Braun, it is unlikely that the restrictions will be lifted during the winter or until such time as there are enough vaccines in the country for the entire population.
There are not enough beds in Sweden
Sweden is the only country in Europe that has not introduced a blockade. The number of infected people continues to grow rapidly, Covid departments and intensive care units in the capital’s hospitals are 99% full. Doctors predict there will soon be a shortage of beds in hospitals across the country.
Bloomberg reported that Sweden is also facing massive voluntary layoffs of its medical staff. Sineva Ribeiro, president of the Swedish Association of Medical Professionals, believes this is due to extremely busy hospital hours.
The shortage of medical personnel, especially nurses and sisters, was felt in the country even before the pandemic. With the influx of covid patients, people almost stopped taking vacations and weekends, and the only chance to rest is simply to quit smoking, the newspaper writes.
Scandinavian neighbors Finland and Norway offered Stockholm all the assistance they could, including medical staff, equipment and, in some cases, patient transport. But the Swedish authorities say they are fending for themselves so far.
