Health

Covid-19 infections on rise in Europe

Madrid Desk, Mar 16 (EFE).- A fresh wave of coronavirus infections has reared its head across Europe just at the continent’s attention is heaped firmly on the crisis unfolding as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

However, hospitalization and death rates have remained lower than previous waves, according to data from across the continent.

Austria on Wednesday reported 58,583 Covid-19 cases in 24 hours just 11 days after it lifted coronavirus restrictions. The seven-day incidence rate in the Alpine country stood at 3,456.6 per 100,000 inhabitants, according to health authorities, who said 28 people had died from the disease in the last 24 hours.

Italy reported over 85,000 cases and 180 deaths in the space of a day but the government remains committed to eliminating Covid restrictions, including vaccine certificates.

Prime minister Mario Draghi said that the goal is “to open everything as soon as possible.”

Germany reported a new record of 262,593 cases and 269 deaths in the past 24 hours, compared to 215,854 and 314 respectively registered a week ago, while Belgium has seen a 30% increase in cases in the space of a week after it scrapped almost all remaining restrictions.

French health minister Olivier Véran said he hoped the current rebound in coronavirus infection levels would be reversed within 10-15 days and not put a strain on healthcare.

France’s current wave is expected to peak at between 120,000 and 150,000 daily infections by the end of March, he added in remarks to local media.

Spain has experienced a slight surge in infections since last week, breaking the downward trend that began in mid-January, with 432 cases per 100,000 inhabitants reported in the last couple of weeks.EFE

int-lab/ta/jt

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