Increases reported in Greece, Spain, France and Germany as differentials of the BA. 5 variant of Omicron
Tourists to and from the European continent are warned about a growing emergence of coronavirus, especially at tourist hotspots, which could hamper plans.
Health officials in some cases call for the reintroduction of face masks and other measures, and urge travelers to show private responsibility, warning that an escalation of the virus may lead to the immediate return of restrictions.
Greece, Spain, France and Germany, as well as more remote destinations such as the Caribbean islands, Morocco and Tunisia, are experiencing a significant backlog of cases.
As tourists examine national coronavirus infection rates before embarking on their travels, despite difficulties in making comparisons due to the other tactics nations test, those that have not yet been fully vaccinated, with a double dose and one or two boosters. Injections, depending on your age or threat points, are requested through medical professionals to obtain protection. before you travel
Greece is one of the countries that has reported an increase in cases in recent weeks. Most of those affected on offer are other people between the ages of 18 and 24, and cases are concentrated to the maximum in popular tourist regions, the Greek Health Ministry said. Last weekend, about 11,700 new infections were reported in 24 hours, nearly triple the number last week.
The number of new infections on the islands of Corfu, Kefalonia and Zakynthos in the Ionian Sea has increased in recent weeks. Crete, the region of Attica, adding the Greek capital, Athens, the southern Aegean Sea, adding islands such as Mykonos and Paros. , as the islands of Rhodes and Kos are also on the authorities’ radar.
Greece abolished most of its coronavirus measures in May. However, face masks are still mandatory in indoor public spaces, and hospitals were added just like on public transport and cruise ships.
Experts across Europe also speak of a high number of unreported or unreported cases, as the legal responsibility to report infections has been abandoned in many places.
Across Spain, cases have increased by more than 60% compared to last month, still only a fraction of what they were at the beginning of the year. The virus is mainly felt on the islands of Mallorca, Ibiza, Menorca and Formentera. , favorite destinations of the British, Germans and Scandinavians. Doctors called the existing point “alarming,” and local media reported that an unlimited appetite for concentrated gatherings to celebrate, after years of pandemic restrictions, is creating “idyllic” situations for the spread of the highly contagious variant of Omicron BA. 5, which is helping to drive a new wave.
Currently, 80% of all infections are of the BA. 5 variety, according to Antonio Oliver, lead virologist at Son Espases Hospital, the largest hospital in Mallorca. The Canary Islands.
The other infected people are no longer required to self-isolate in Spain, but the legal responsibility to wear a mask in indoor public spaces and public transport remains in force.
On a positive note, Oliver said that while the region was experiencing its seventh wave, “it is true that this wave is less visual than in previous episodes of infection. “He attributed this to two main reasons: vaccines mean that the number of serious infections diseases decrease and the government no longer largely provokes the systematic spread of the disease. The seven-day occurrence rate is now only assessed for those over the age of 60, who are statistically more likely to end up being treated for their symptoms in the hospital.
Nationally in Spain, around 10,000 more people are recently being treated for Covid-19, accounting for 8% of total hospital bed capacity. This is very low compared to when the virus was at its peak, but still high enough to put a lot of pressure on resources.
France has noticed an increasing number of cases, almost 80% in just over two weeks. But the reintroduction of restrictions has no popular support. The requirement to wear a face mask was recently removed, Health Minister Brigitte Bourguignon asked. the “civic duty” of people to continue to do so on public transport and other crowded places.
Italy has recorded a record number of cases in five months and continues to insist on wearing a mask on public transport. Roberto Speranza, the fitness minister, suggested the inflamed “do their duty” and stay home.
Portugal is a high-risk destination after a backlog of cases, and travelers have yet to prove they are vaccinated, tested, or recovered and wear masks. The seven-day occurrence rate remains the highest compared to most neighboring countries, at 1,150 consistent with 100,000 inhabitants.
While cases are expanding in Germany due to the spread of the subvariant BA. 5 Omicron, covid deaths lately amount to around 500 per week, which the health government describes as an unacceptable level. behind.
German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, known for his direct statements about the virus, said that while he expected the summer holidays to lead to lockdown, it was also to be expected that the country would have to prepare for some of the “very serious variants” that would return with holidaymakers and make themselves felt in autumn.
People are being asked to adopt a new vaccine designed to deal with the Omicron variant starting in September. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has not hesitated to admit that wearing a mask may be mandatory in the coming autumn and winter. Currently, in Germany, other people must wear an FFP2 medical mask in public shipments and in hospitals and doctors’ offices. Other infected people will need to self-isolate for at least five days, after which they will be able to leave their homes if they test negative.
German and Austrian tourists who are concerned that their holidays will be interrupted by illness or virus-like cancellations are requested to take out cancellation insurance against the coronavirus. Such uncertainty is likely to boost domestic tourism again across Europe.
Anke Herrmann, who owns a company in Leipzig, said insurance is proving popular with consumers traveling in the Mediterranean and is helping other people who are already nervous about booking because of the virus to move forward. of the war in Europe and emerging inflation, they wonder if they deserve to do it,” he said.
Michael Stürmer, a virologist from Frankfurt, said most people no longer want to worry about the course of the disease if they get sick, but about the threat of getting stuck. mask and avoid crowds,” he told Broadcaster Hessenschau. “It’s hard to do much more than that. He just wants to be aware of the threats and the fact that he can fail without problems.
Christian Drosten, a virologist who played a leading role in explaining the virus to Germans, warned that he opposes the recommendation circulating through social media urging other people to intentionally contract the virus in the summer to be immune to the harsher winter months.
“This is general nonsense,” he told Der Spiegel. It will never manage to infect as many other people in the summer as the instances would stay low in the winter anyway. . . No one is deliberately inflamed, we continue to avoid this as much as possible, especially due to the threat of long COVID-19.
Drosten said he would spend a camping holiday for his part.