Europe is facing a “Covid-19 storm” due to the easing of government restrictions, weakened immunity from the vaccine and the fast-spreading Omicron BA.2 mutation, according to experts.
Many European countries such as the UK, France, Germany and Italy have reported increasing numbers of infections in recent days. According to scientists, the number of infections on the continent is increasing because governments are reducing distances too quickly. Others believe that the cause lies in the Omicron sub-variant, BA.2, also known as “Omicron stealth”, which is dominant in many countries. BA.2 infects 30% faster than the original BA.1 version.
Lawrence Young, an epidemiologist at the University of Warwick, said Europe’s “perfect wave of infection” consisted of three factors: early relaxation, weakened immunity after vaccination and the Omicron.BA.2 mutation.
“Removing restrictions could trigger a wave of BA.2 infections, and lead to the emergence of new strains,” Young said.
In France, the number of new positive cases has tripled in the three weeks since the government ended epidemic prevention regulations. In German states, although the number of infections reached nearly 300,000 on March 19, the government still allowed the lifting of restrictions. However, many states still maintain epidemic prevention measures.
Meanwhile, Italian officials announced that they would end anti-epidemic regulations from May 1, despite the high number of infections. The UK infection rate is currently one in 20, but the government still decided to lift travel restrictions from March 19.
In another move, Austria last week said it could reintroduce mandatory mask-wearing rules, just a week after easing restrictions, to tackle the rising tide of the epidemic.
People walk at the Colosseum in Rome, Italy after authorities eased restrictions on face masks, Feb. 11. Photo: Reuters
Antoine Flahault, director of the Institute for Global Health at the University of Geneva, said BA.2 was most likely the cause of the Covid-19 resurgence across the continent.
“BA.2 appears to be the culprit that caused the epidemic to escalate, which again shows how quickly the situation has changed since the virus evolved into a new form,” he told Science Media Center.
He also mentioned post-vaccination immunosuppression and air pollution in Western Europe during the spread of the virus. Previous research has shown that Covid-19 outbreaks are correlated with high concentrations of fine dust in the air.
Simon Clarke, professor of cellular microbiology at the University of Reading, said that despite the high number of cases in the UK, “concern about the virus in the community appears to be at its lowest level since the outbreak”.
To strengthen immunity diminishing, some countries such as France have started the 4th dose of vaccine. The UK is also getting a second booster (fourth dose of vaccine) for people over 75 who were immunosuppressed this week, according to an announcement by the National Health Service (NHS).
However, the Health Organization (WHO) warns that new strains could continue to emerge if developed countries focus solely on vaccinating their own citizens, rather than sharing vaccines with those who need it most.
Jean-Francois Delfraissy, Chair of the French Government’s Scientific Advisory Committee, warned of the potential for mutations. “We anticipate there will be a new variant, possibly in the fall. No one knows yet if it will be more contagious, more severe, or possibly avoid a vaccine,” Delfraissy said.
Thu Linh (Based on AFP)
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