COVID-19 in Europe: record number of cases in France and Germany as it spreads Omicron

Several countries in Europe have recorded a record number of COVID-19 infections. Here is our summary of the situation across the continent.

The number of new coronavirus cases globally rose 20% last week to more than 18 million, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Tuesday that the highly infectious variant of Omicron “continues to sweep the world.”

“We are concerned about the impact that omicron is having on already exhausted healthcare workers and overburdened healthcare systems,” Tedros said.

Some countries have taken measures targeting the unvaccinated, while programs to vaccinate young children are also being implemented.

France, Germany and Italy

On Tuesday, Public Health France reported that there was a record 464,769 new cases in the last 24-hour period.

The number of coronavirus deaths also rose by 288 on Tuesday to 100,339, according to official figures.

Just a day earlier, the number of COVID-19 patients in French hospitals also rose by a record 888 to more than 25,000 in total.

Germany also saw a new record for confirmed cases on Wednesday, with 112,323 new infections in the last 24 hours.

It is the first time that the country’s disease control agency has reported more than 100,000 cases daily. Another 239 COVID-related deaths were also recorded on Wednesday.

But the German association for intensive care medicine (DIVI) said the number of COVID-19 patients in intensive care units was falling despite the rise in cases.

Health Minister Karl Lauterbach has warned that the country has not yet reached the peak of infections and recommended that Germany introduce a nationwide vaccination mandate by May.

Almost 73% of the German population have received a full course of COVID-19 vaccinations, while almost 48% have received an additional booster injection.

German police say they are investigating thousands of falsified vaccination certificates, according to the DPA news agency.

Those who provide or use false certificates could face severe penalties, from fines and suspended prison sentences to losing their jobs.

The number of coronavirus cases in Italy also jumped from 83,403 to 228,179 on Tuesday.

Netherlands

Several Dutch theatres, museums and cultural venues briefly reopened on Wednesday to protest the latest measures against COVID-19.

The Netherlands has been in a harsh lockdown since mid-December amid a surge in cases. Last week, hairdressers, gyms and non-essential shops were allowed to reopen under a relaxation of restrictions, but bars, restaurants and theaters are required to remain closed.

But hundreds of Dutch bars and restaurants have also opened their doors in protest against the lockdown that they say is bringing business to a standstill.

Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw Orchestra performed Wednesday as two hairdressers cut hair at the historic venue.

Meanwhile, a barber cut the hair of 10 visitors while 10 more people received a nail treatment at the Van Gogh Museum.

“I understand the cry for help and that artists want to show all the beauty they have to offer us, but the opening of society must go step by step,” Culture Minister Gunay Uslu tweeted.

The Dutch government has said it will look at a possible further easing on January 25 as hospital admissions decline despite a rise in the number of cases.

Hungary

The leader of the main opposition party in Hungary confirmed on Wednesday that he has tested positive for the virus amid a surge in cases across the country.

Peter Marki Zay — who will represent a six-party coalition in parliamentary elections in April — he said on facebook who had received a positive test after exhibiting mild symptoms.

His announcement came on the same day that Hungary reported the highest number of daily cases since the start of the pandemic.

According to the government’s official coronavirus website, 14,890 new cases were detected on Wednesday, almost twice as many as last week and 2,000 more than the previous record from November.

Prime Minister Viktor Orban has relied on raising vaccination rates to fend off the pandemic rather than reimposing measures.

More than 61% of Hungarians have received at least two doses of vaccines, below the European Union average of 69.1%, according to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control.

Slovakia

Slovakia has restricted access to public gatherings on Wednesday in the latest measures to tackle the spread of the Omicron variant.

Citizens will need to have received three doses of a vaccine, two doses plus a negative test, or have recently recovered from an infection to attend many events.

The number of people at weddings, parties and other venues will be limited, the government said on Wednesday. All bars and restaurants will also have to be closed between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.

Slovak authorities expected the Omicron variant to become dominant in January.

Belgium

European Council President Charles Michel has had to miss the bloc’s latest parliamentary session after a close contact tested positive for COVID-19.

Michel became the second high-level European Union official to be forced to walk out of Wednesday’s session in Strasbourg, where French President Emmanuel Macron discussed major challenges to the EU presidency.

The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, had already canceled her assistance on Monday after her driver tested positive for coronavirus.