Nikolaj Skydsgaard and Krisztina Than

BUDAPEST (Reuters). Increasing numbers of Coronavirus Infections are raging across Europe, with winter approaching. This has prompted the World Health Organization to call for immediate action.

The rising number of cases in Eastern Europe has prompted discussion about whether or not to remove restrictions on travel before Christmas and how to convince more people to get vaccines.

The conversation takes place as several countries from Asia, except for China, open their tourism sector to the outside world.

Hans Kluge, regional WHO chief said that “the current pace of transmission in the European Region’s 53 member countries is alarming.” He also noted that the spreading of this virus was made worse by its more transmittable Delta variant.

When people are indoors, the virus is more likely to spread.

Kluge had warned that Europe could see 500,000 deaths from COVID if it continues on its current path.

He stated that “we must shift our strategies from responding to COVID-19 surges to actually preventing them from ever happening.”

With nearly 1.8million cases added to the region’s list of cases in the last week, there was a 6 percent increase in total cases. In the same time, there was a 12% increase in deaths.

Germany is Europe’s largest economy and reported 33.949 new infections last week, which was the highest increase in daily cases since the outbreak of the pandemic. The number of cases in Russia and Ukraine is on the rise.

The number of coronavirus cases in Austria rose to a new record high last year, making it more probable that there will be a lockdown on unvaccinated people.

According to Imperial College London, COVID-19 prevalence rose in England to the highest point on record in October. This was due in part, Imperial College London stated, to a large number of COVID-19 cases among children, and an increase in southwest.

Slovakia had 6,713 cases last week, a new record. Daily new cases in Hungary increased more than twice from the previous week, to 6,268. Poland is the largest economy in Eastern Europe and reported 15 515 cases per day on Thursday. This was the highest number since April. On Thursday, both Slovenia and Croatia reported daily records for infections.

CHINA ON OLYMPICS ALERT

China has increased restrictions in response to a rising outbreak of COVID-19 within China’s ports of entry. This is done to lower the chance of COVID-19-related cases from overseas.

The authorities have tightened security measures in the capital to prepare for a large gathering of top Communist Party members next week.

Over 700 cases of locally transmitted disease with symptoms confirmed in China have been reported since mid-October. This is still a relatively small percentage compared to other countries and has led Beijing’s zero tolerance policy to increase restrictions.

Hungary’s 2021 growth projection for GDP has been lowered to 6.8% by Central Europe. This is due to an increase in energy prices and inflation.

Slovakia’s Finance Ministry reduced its growth forecasts in 2021 and 2022 to September. It said that while a new wave COVID-19 will impact consumers and the labour market in 2019, the effect will be less than in previous pandemics. The projections of Poland’s central banks were not revised.

FRESH CURBS

Hungarian officials have urged citizens to get vaccines. They announced last week mandatory vaccinations in state institutions. Private companies can also make mandatory jabs for their employees, if necessary.

Romania: Hospitals cannot handle a rise in COVID-19-patients. The Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Poland all have tightened regulations on mask-wearing and implemented measures to prevent infections.

Czech Republic requires that restaurant patrons show evidence of vaccines or have passed a blood test. The Czech Republic also enforces strict mask regulations. Some children will be tested again in schools where the number of cases is higher.

Polish law makes mask-wearing mandatory for public places. Theatres, cinemas, and hotels can only hold 75% of their capacity. Reuters asked the Hungarian government for information about possible measures but they did not respond to our questions.