#16,315
Although Germany's COVID situation isn't the worst in Europe, it is bad enough, and continues to worsen with each passing day. Germany's health Minister Jens Spahn held a press conference today urging "We must now do everything necessary to break this momentum.Otherwise it will be a bitter December for the whole country."
In as 32-page weekly status report on COVID, published yesterday, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) warned.
(translated)
The current development is very worrying and it is to be feared that there will be a further increase in serious illnesses and deaths and that the available intensive care treatment capacities will be exceeded. In order to prevent this, every citizen should immediately implement all applicable measures: reducing contact, wearing masks, observing the minimum distance and the AHA + L rules as well as regular and thorough indoor ventilation before, during and after several people have stayed there. These recommendations also apply to those who have been vaccinated and those who have recovered.
The RKI urgently advises canceling or avoiding larger events if possible, but also to reduce all other unnecessary contacts. If they cannot be avoided, regardless of the vaccination or convalescence status, you should do a test beforehand and use the Corona Warn app.
In addition, it is imperative to respond to symptoms of one newly emerging respiratory diseases such as runny nose, sore throat or cough (also regardless of the vaccination status) to stay at home, to contact the family doctor's practice and get one there Have a PCR test carried out.
Although global COVID rates are relatively flat right now - up 1% for the week - (see WHO Chart below), they are rising far more rapidly in Europe, and COVID deaths in Europe have jumped by 10% in the past week.
The biggest declines reported this past week have come from Southeast Asia (-13%) and the Western Pacific (-9%), regions that have maintained or recently tightened their COVID restrictions (see here, here, and here).
By contrast, Europe - which largely abandoned most COVID restrictions over the summer - finds itself facing a rapidly brewing winter crisis.
There are media reports today suggesting that the Netherlands will announce a new, 3-week partial lockdown later today, and persistent reports that Austria may announced new restrictions for the unvaccinated this weekend.
The $64 question for those of us in the United States and Canada is whether we can avoid following Europe into another chaotic COVID winter.
Stay tuned.
