They are back! Europe sees COVID-19 positivity rates soar above 20 percent, US faces million infections daily

COVID-19 News: Rising Positivity Rates in Europe
COVID-19 is making an alarming comeback, with the World Health Organization (WHO) reporting a significant uptick in positivity rates across Europe. Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO's director for epidemic and pandemic preparedness and prevention, has highlighted a troubling increase in the percentage of positive tests for SARS-CoV-2. "Data from our sentinel-based surveillance system across 84 countries shows that the percent of positive tests for SARS-CoV-2 has been rising over several weeks," she said. "In Europe, percent positivity is above 20 per cent."


They are back! Europe sees COVID-19 positivity rates soar above 20 percent, US faces million infections daily

This surge is not confined to Europe alone. New waves of infection have been reported across the Americas and the western Pacific. Wastewater surveillance indicates that the actual circulation of the virus could be two to 20 times higher than current figures suggest. This atypical rise during the northern hemisphere’s summer months, a period generally less conducive to respiratory virus spread, underscores the unpredictability and persistence of COVID-19.
 
Interestingly, many mainstream media are not reporting COVID-19 News coverages detailing the extent of the COVID-19 crisis in their respective countries.
 
Unprecedented Summer Surge
The summer months have traditionally seen a decrease in respiratory illnesses, yet COVID-19 has defied this trend. "In recent months, regardless of the season, many countries have experienced surges of COVID-19, including at the Olympics where at least 40 athletes have tested positive," Dr Van Kerkhove reported. This atypical pattern raises concerns about the virus's evolving nature and the potential emergence of more severe strains that could evade current detection systems and medical interventions.
 
WHO’s Only Recommendation -  Vaccination!
While hospital admissions, including those for intensive care, remain lower than during the pandemic's peak, WHO is urging governments to bolster vaccination campaigns. Ensuring that high-risk groups receive booster shots at least once every 12 months is crucial. "As individuals, it is important to take measures to reduce the risk of infection and severe disease, including ensuring that you have had a COVID-19 vaccination dose in the last 12 months, especially if you are in an at-risk group," stressed Dr Van Kerkhove.
 
The availability of vaccines has significantly declined over the past 12 to 18 months, partly due to a decrease in the number of producers. "It is very difficult for them to maintain the pace they had in 2021 and 2022," she explained. However, there remains a significant market for COVID-19 vaccines.
 
It seems that the WHO and its executives have a vested in the vaccine business and to date there are no real concrete studies that are not manipulated that show these vaccines actually prevent disease severity or prevent risk of mortality especially with the new circulating variants. Furthermore, the list of adverse effects and the number of people actually suffering or dying form these vaccines are increasing.
 
Decline in Vaccine Coverage
Over the past two years, there has been an alarming decline in vaccine coverage, particularly among health workers and individuals over 60, two of the most at-risk groups. Dr. Van Kerkhove expressed concern about the low coverage and large circulation of the virus, warning that a more severe variant could have devastating effects on vulnerable populations.
 
Innovations in Vaccine Development
Nasal vaccines, which are still under development, offer hope for addressing transmission and reducing the risk of further variants, infection, and severe disease. "With such low coverage and large circulation, if we were to have a variant that would be more severe, then the susceptibility of at-risk populations to develop severe disease is huge," Dr Van Kerkhove warned.
 
Global Unpreparedness and Complacency
The WHO has expressed concern that governments worldwide are unprepared to combat the global COVID-19 surge, putting millions at risk of severe disease and death. Dr Van Kerkhove emphasized that "COVID-19 is still very much with us," with the virus circulating in all countries. Data from 84 countries indicates a rising percentage of positive tests for SARS-CoV-2.
 
Despite the official declaration ending the COVID-19 pandemic as an international health threat on May 5, 2023, WHO has received minimal official information from countries regarding new infections and deaths. This lack of data has forced health agency officials to rely on government websites and ministry of health reports to track monthly trends in hospitalizations linked to COVID-19.
 
Increasing Hospitalization Rates
Hospitalization rates have increased in the Americas, Europe, and the Western Pacific, with only 35 out of 234 countries and territories providing this critical information. Based on wastewater surveillance, WHO officials have determined that the actual circulation of SARS-CoV-2 is two to 20 times higher than reported. This significant underreporting poses a risk of a more severe virus that could evade detection and medical interventions, including vaccinations.
 
Combating Complacency
WHO officials observe that governments and populations have become complacent due to the reduced impact of COVID-19 compared to the pandemic's peak. However, they warn that this complacency could lead to a resurgence if immunity from previous infections and vaccinations wanes. The global health agency urges countries to enhance their pandemic preparedness, readiness, and response systems to be ready for COVID-19 surges and other emerging pathogens like avian influenza H5N1, mpox, and dengue.
 
US Faces Unprecedented Infection Rates
In the United States, modeling platforms indicate that the country faces almost one million COVID-19 infections daily. This staggering number highlights the virus's persistent threat and the need for continuous vigilance and public health measures to curb its spread.
https://x.com/michael_hoerger/status/1820324233236336783
 
Conclusion
COVID-19 remains a significant global health threat, with rising positivity rates in Europe and nearly a million daily infections in the United States. The WHO urges governments and individuals to remain vigilant, enhance vaccination efforts, and prepare for potential surges. As the virus continues to evolve, maintaining public health measures and vaccine coverage is crucial to preventing severe disease and protecting vulnerable populations.
 
For the latest COVID-19 News, keep on logging to Thailand Medical News.
 
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