Europe has seen a gentle buildup to a new Covid wave in the last few weeks that recently accelerated. Two countries – the Netherlands and Germany – are now actively mulling introducing new lockdowns in response. They are just the tip of the iceberg, as another 10 “very high concern” countries could follow suit.
European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC), which monitors cases across the 27-state bloc, has released a warning.
In its latest report, the ECDC revised its Covid risk categories.
The categories range from “low” to “very high” concern based on cases and death rates.
The ten included in its highest category include several British holiday hotspots.
The “very high” concern category includes:
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Estonia
- Greece
- Hungary
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Slovenia
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According to the ECDC report, these nations have the highest “14-day notification rates” per 100,000 people.
Each has rates hovering around 200, according to week 44 data, making them potentially dangerous for immunocompromised people.
Most of the countries analysed by the ECDC have settled into the “high concern” bracket.
A total of 13 currently reside on that list, with far fewer in the lowest two categories.
They include:
- Austria
- Denmark
- Finland
- Germany
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Norway
- Romania
- Slovakia
The last two “moderate” and “low” concern categories have three and four countries each.
Moderate concern nations include:
And low concern countries include:
Not every country has responded according to their place on the ECDC graphs.
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Only the Netherlands, Austria and Germany – on the “very high” and “high” lists – have considered active measures.
The Netherlands is anticipating some new covid restrictions this evening after Prime Minister Mark Rutte makes an address.
Local media has suggested the government wants a “partial lockdown” in the country to curb cases.
Dutch broadcaster Nederlandse Omroep Stichting (NOS) said measures could include a three-week lockdown shuttering bars, restaurants and non-essential shops from 7pm.
In Germany, officials are currently considering a ban on “large events” as their case rate increased by 20 points.
The Robert Koch Institute recorded another 48,640 cases on Friday, up from more than 50,000 the day before.
The institute laid out two options for reducing the caseload, starting with “cancelling larger events”.
Officials also recommended the German government work to reduce “all other unnecessary contacts”.
Austrian chancellor Alexander Schallenberg said today that he is awaiting the green light from parliament to instil a more focused lockdown.
He intends to target the unvaccinated with a “national containment” strategy for those refusing the jab.
But so far, he has not specified when his proposed tactic would come into force.