The weekly levels of infections from Covid-19 in European countries are presented in an interactive graph of the New York Times, with the lighter colors indicating a lower number of infections and the darker, higher.
According to the map data on the morning of Tuesday 30 November, The whole of Cyprus appears in light and dark "purple" color, which means that the levels of weekly cases in the country are among the highest in Europe.
Europe at the center of the pandemic again
Europe is once again at the center of a new wave Covid-19, with more and more cases being recorded daily on the continent than at any other time during the pandemic. Infection rates in Austria, Germany and the Netherlands are already double those recorded at the peak of last winter.
In response, governments were forced to re-impose the severe restrictions that most Europeans believed they had left behind. New lockdowns have taken place in Austria and Slovakia, with bars, restaurants and shops selling non-essential items closed, in a bid to bring the new boom under control.
The Omicron Challenge
In addition, the emergence of the new Omicron strain, which - as the WHO has warned - is likely to pose a greater risk of re-infection - has alarmed European leaders. Cases of this strain have so far been identified among travelers in more than ten European countries, including Denmark, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
During her visit to Latvia, Commission President Ursula von der Layen said that although it would take two to three weeks for scientists to get a full picture of Omicron, compliance with key priorities should be distances and the administration of booster doses of vaccines.
"The general line seems to be: We hope for the best, but we prepare for the worst," added von der Leyen.
Vaccine gap
Despite the existence of highly effective vaccines, health officials in Europe are still struggling to cope with the highly contagious Delta variant, as, due to lower temperatures, more and more gatherings are taking place indoors.
At the same time, the winter outbreak of the pandemic has once again highlighted the vaccination gap on the European continent. Although cases have risen across Europe, deaths have reached similar levels to last year only in countries with low vaccination rates.
kathimerini.gr