COVID_19 in Europe: a ceasefire?

Dr. Hans Kluge cited as arguments the high vaccination rates, the coming end of winter and the less severe nature of the Omicron variant. In an interview with journalists, he used the "ceasefire" comparison. According to him, this could herald a lasting peace in the war against the virus. It's hard to disagree with him, as more and more European countries are enduring the restrictions caused by the pandemic.

Kluge reported that around 12 million new cases of coronavirus infections were detected last week in Europe - the highest recorded rate - but at the same time, officials did not see a significant increase in the number of people requiring intensive inpatient care.

Denmark is the first country in the European Union to abolish all restrictions and "pandemic" laws, including wearing masks, even though the daily number of infections there is still high. Authorities, however, say the virus no longer qualifies as a "critical threat" and that high vaccination rates help protect against serious consequences.

Norway and Sweden are beginning to approach restrictions in a similar way. "The pandemic is not over, but we are entering a completely new phase," Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson commented on the new situation. This does not mean that social habits, such as avoiding large groups of people, will not apply.

Despite his "ceasefire" statement, Kluge called on European nations to continue their vaccination campaign - including an international campaign - to strengthen protection worldwide. He also drew attention to the need for special protection of risk groups and referred to the individual responsibility of each of us. He also expressed his belief that the continent of Europe would be able to cope with even a more virulent variant than Omikron: 'I believe it is possible to respond to new variants that will inevitably emerge without re-introducing the drastic restrictions we needed before,' added Dr Kluge.

Source: BBC News