Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jul 11, 2024 5 months, 1 week, 6 days, 16 hours, 59 minutes ago
COVID-19 News: COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations and deaths are once again rising in various parts of Europe. Despite the warmer climate as summer sets in, COVID-19 infections rates are hitting new records in some European countries due the new KP variants that are behind the summer surge. Local
COVID-19 News coverages have indicated that Portugal, Italy and Spain are witnessing the start of a new COVID-19 crisis.
COVID-19 Infections Are Rising Almost Throughout Europe and Globally.
Portugal -Daily average of 400 COVID-19 infections and 12 deaths.
Portugal is experiencing a significant surge in COVID-19 cases, with an average of 12 deaths and 400 new infections daily, marking the highest figures in almost two years. The Directorate-General for Health (DGS) reported that on June 30th, the incidence rate surpassed last winter’s peak, with 26 seven-day cases per 100,000 inhabitants compared to 12 previously. Specific mortality rates also increased, with 15 deaths per 14 days per million inhabitants, exceeding the previous winter and summer peaks of 10 and 13 deaths, respectively. However, these numbers remain below the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) threshold of 20 deaths per 14 days per million inhabitants. The Algarve region reported the highest mortality rate, and about 70% of deaths occurred in individuals aged 80 and over.
The DGS highlighted that 44% of the deceased patients lacked seasonal vaccination records. The rise in COVID-19 cases is linked to the KP.3 sub-lineage, a descendant of the JN.1 variant, found in 51.3% of samples in May. Although the ECDC does not associate these mutations with increased infection severity or reduced vaccine efficacy, older individuals or those with underlying conditions remain at risk. The DGS recommends mask-wearing, physical distancing, and avoiding crowded places for those exhibiting symptoms. Additionally, it advises adopting proper respiratory etiquette, frequent handwashing, and maintaining well-ventilated spaces.
https://madeira-weekly.com/2024/07/06/portugal-heading-for-new-peak-in-covid-cases/
Italy - Weekly COVID-19 infection rates rises and so is the COVID-19 positivity rates.
The KP.3 variant is causing an unexpected summer peak in COVID-19 cases, leading to increased hospitalizations. Massimo Andreoni, scientific director of the Italian Society of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, highlighted that this surge indicates the Sars-CoV-2 virus's aggressiveness is driven by emerging variants, rather than seasonality. With vacation travel on the rise, including crowded trains, planes, and tourist destinations, wearing a mask remains a crucial defense.
According to the Ministry of Health, from June 27 to July 3, there were 3,855 new positive cases, up from 2,505 the previous week. Although deaths decreased from 21 to 18, the positivity rate rose from 3.2% to 4.7% with an increase in testing.
The symptoms of the KP.3 variant resemble those of a severe cold, including fever lasting four to five days, cough, sore throat, headache, red eyes, muscle and joint p
ain, malaise, fatigue, and gastrointestinal issues like vomiting and diarrhea. Complications can arise in vulnerable individuals, such as those over 65, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and patients with chronic conditions or compromised immune systems. The KP.3 variant is classified as a VOI (variant of interest) due to mutations in the Spike protein, enabling it to evade immune defenses, penetrate cells, and replicate faster than other variants, potentially leading to serious complications like respiratory difficulties.
https://www.ilmessaggero.it/en/covid_returns_in_italy_with_new_kp3_subvariant_causing_summer_peak-8230689.html
Spain - Reported cases of COVID-19 have rocketed six-fold in the Valencian community compared to a year ago.
Reported Covid-19 cases in the Valencian Community have surged six-fold compared to a year ago, with the latest figures from the end of June showing 221 cases per 100,000 people, similar to last Christmas when mask mandates were in place. A year ago, the infection rate was only 37 cases per 100,000. On June 18, health officials reported a ratio of 95 infections per 100,000 people, indicating a sharp increase as the peak summer holiday season begins, leading to greater interaction among people.
Hospitalizations due to Covid-19 are at the highest this year, with 2.6 people per 100,000 admitted, up from just 0.6 in early June. Elderly residents are the most vulnerable, with the average age of those most affected being 79 years, typically spending three days in an ICU. One in three Valencians aged over 80 admitted to the hospital were infected with the coronavirus, while hardly any hospital patients aged under 45 had Covid-19. This data underscores the heightened risk and increased hospital burden during the current surge in cases.
https://www.theolivepress.es/spain-news/2024/07/04/covid-surge-in-spain-number-of-cases-in-valencia-is-six-times-higher-than-a-year-ago/
Thailand Medical News will be providing more updates on the COVID-19 situation across other countries in Europe shortly. Based on preliminary data so far and also on local media reports, COVID-19 cases are rising all over Europe including in countries like Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Poland, Romania, Belgium, Austria, Sweden, Estonia, Slovakia etc.
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Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/covid-19-hospitalizations-surge-in-scotland
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/covid-19-hospitalizations-reach-record-highs-in-british-columbia-canada
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