While the Scandinavian countries have gained good control over the Corona epidemic, infections are escalating in many European countries. Suspicion of the vaccine is to blame.
The World Health Organization announced this week that one billion doses of vaccine have been identified in Europe. However, the vaccination rate in many countries remains low, and last week an increase of 7 percent was recorded in Europe.
Much of the increase in infections was recorded in Eastern Europe, including Russia, Romania, Slovenia and Bulgaria.
In Romania, where the vaccination rate is just under 35 percent, infections have recently skyrocketed, and hospitals are so aggravated that seriously ill patients have to be sent abroad. The weekly average is over 15,000 compared to less than 5,000 a month ago.
The vaccination rate in the country is low due to widespread skepticism about the vaccine. Vaccine skepticism is also high in Bulgaria, while infection rates are on the rise.
We understand people’s concerns, and they have a right to learn about vaccines and make an informed decision. But now is the time to make the decision, because the risk of infection is increasing, says Romanian Health Minister Ioana Mihaela financial times.
All EU countries have now vaccinated at least half of the population, with the exception of Romania and Bulgaria, according to the newspaper.
increase in Belgium
The situation in Eastern Europe has not only worsened in recent weeks. In Belgium, the government fears that the country is at the beginning of a new, powerful wave of infections. Authorities had previously relaxed the rules on bandages, but they are starting to encourage residents to find bandages again.
– We are clearly in the fourth wave, Health Minister Frank Vandenbroek tells VRT.
Compared to last week, the infection has increased by more than 50 percent. The number of admissions also increased sharply.
– We will see a significant increase in infection and, unfortunately, hospitalization, he says.
In the Netherlands, the healthcare system has also come under pressure recently. Infection rates are at their highest level since reopening at the end of July, writes Reuters.
According to the country’s National Institute of Public Health, most people in hospitals with coronary heart disease have not been vaccinated.
Read also: NIPH: Increased risk of hospital admissions
high infection
In the United Kingdom, which was the European country that first gained momentum in vaccination, more infections are now recorded than France, Germany, Italy and Spain combined, according to the CNN.
Almost all restrictions were lifted in July, and infections remained high and are now starting to rise even more.
Extraordinary policies lead to extraordinary results. Very predictable. “This is the result of being open about everything,” Deepti Gordasani, an epidemiologist at Queens Mary University of London, told CNN. She warns that the situation will only get worse when winter really does come.
Read also: Slovenia’s prime minister blames protests for increased infection
Trouble in Russia
In Russia, where doubts about vaccines are widespread, the situation is at least serious. So far, only 45 million Russians, or 32 percent of the population of 146 million, have been fully vaccinated.
More than 1,000 deaths related to corona were recorded, on Wednesday, the highest since the beginning of the epidemic. The number of deaths has increased almost every day in recent weeks.
Authorities have so far ruled out a new, blanket shutdown like last year’s that hit the economy and bolstered President Vladimir Putin. But Putin has now ordered a weekend week in an effort to curb infection.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobganin has already introduced new measures for the first time since the summer. Among them are that all unvaccinated people over the age of 60 must work from home through February, that companies must allow at least a third of their employees to work at home, and expanded vaccination requirements for employees in the service sector.
Strictly in New Zealand
Infections have also increased in other countries that have long had very strict infection control restrictions. In New Zealand, for the first time since the outbreak of the Corona epidemic, three numbers of infected people were recorded in one day.
The country, which has pursued a strategy to reduce the virus to zero, again imposed strict restrictions after registering an infection case on August 18.
China also has the Corona strategy of zero infection in the community. But the outbreak of the new disease prompted the authorities to suspend hundreds of flights, close schools and start mass testing in several regions.
(© NTB)
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