Covid-19: Pandemic is 'not over' as rising cases suggest new wave

As Covid-19 cases rise in Europe once again, the trend suggest a new wave in Europe and possibly the US. At least that's what the World Health Organization (WHO) andEuropean Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) have said in a joint statement.

Whilst there has been an uptick in infection rates, the statement went on to say, according to Reuters:

Although we are not where we were one year ago, it is clear that the COVID-19 pandemic is still not over. We are unfortunately seeing indicators rising again in Europe, suggesting that another wave of infections has begun.

Europe

WHO’s data showed that infections were up 8% in Europe in the week ending 2 October. If Omicron remains the dominant strain it could be the sign of Covid-19 is entering into a predictable seasonal pattern.

In a sense this coud be good news, as German virologist Ralf Bartenschlager comments, as per Bloomberg:

We can even be happy -- in quotation marks -- that we now have an omicron variant that has taken over from the original strains.

The WHO is tracking over 300 sub-lineages of Omicron and the BA.5 that was rampant in the summer is still the dominant strain.

US

Covid-19 developments in the Europe are often a forerunner as to what occurs in the US and so they are looking on with concern. As well as an increase in cases in Europe, there is also a rise in hospitalisations and these are increasing in the vulnerable and people over 65.

The public can be forgiven for thinking they are receiving mixed messages after President Joe Biden stated last week, according to Today, ‘the pandemic is over’. However risings cases certainly seems to dispute this and the advice now on the best way to tackle it is increased vaccine uptake.

The news comes just days after announcements across the UK and US urging people to have a seasonal booster to reduce the impact on the health service and help save lives.

Sources used:

- Bloomberg'Omicron’s Staying Power Is Key to Mild Winter as Cases Rise'

- Reuters 'Europe likely entering another COVID wave, says WHO and ECDC'

- Today 'A new COVID surge could hit the US soon following European wave'

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