Europe CDC: "COVID-19 Spread Will Continue Through Summer"

COVID-19 Showing High Reproductive Rate Even in Tropical Regions
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[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) analyzed that contrary to some expectations that the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) would slow down in summer, the spread does not subside even in hot tropical regions, and it will continue to rage during the summer. It warned that if lockdown measures are not strengthened, the mortality rate, especially among the elderly, will become very high, raising concerns about the collapse of healthcare systems in some countries.

On the 25th (local time), the ECDC forecasted in its COVID-19 risk assessment report that the spread of COVID-19 will not slow down even in summer. The ECDC cited preliminary analysis results indicating that the virus can maintain a high level of transmissibility even in tropical regions such as the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in southern China and Singapore.

The ECDC stated that if COVID-19 prolongs, Europe’s healthcare system faces a high risk of becoming saturated, and without measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 or expand hospital capacity, intensive care unit beds in all European countries will exceed capacity by mid-April. According to the ECDC’s analysis, about 30% of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Europe were hospitalized, 4% of whom suffered severe illness, and approximately 12% of hospitalized patients died.

Additionally, due to the very high mortality rate among the elderly, stronger lockdown measures are necessary. The ECDC raised the risk assessment for elderly and chronically ill individuals in Europe from ‘high’ to ‘very high’ regarding COVID-19. The overall risk level for European countries, including the 27 member states of the European Union (EU), the United Kingdom, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein, was assessed as ‘moderate’ if measures such as school closures are implemented, and ‘very high’ if such measures are not taken.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.