Warning of Large-Scale COVID-19 Resurgence in Europe... "85-90% of Population Vulnerable"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] As European governments gradually lift lockdown measures to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), the head of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has warned that a large-scale resurgence is highly likely.

On the 20th (local time), Andrea Ammon, Director of the ECDC, said in an interview with The Guardian, "The question is 'when and how big it will be,' in my view." He emphasized that if people do not follow the rules well and fail to maintain social distancing, a second wave of resurgence is inevitable, noting that people's willingness is already weakening.

Director Ammon analyzed, "The herd immunity level of the population in each country is between 2 to 14%, which is not very good," adding, "This means that 85 to 90% of the population is still vulnerable, and currently, far more viruses are spreading than in January and February." He continued, "I do not want to predict a 'doomsday,' but we must be realistic," stressing, "Now is not the time to be completely at ease."

Ammon pointed out, "On one hand, there is the economic burden on small and medium-sized enterprises, and on the other hand, the difficulty people face in not being able to enjoy freedom," adding, "Although the spread is decreasing now and people think the situation is over, that is definitely not true." He explained that many people went on ski holidays in early March, saying, "I don't know if the COVID-19 situation will last forever, but it doesn't seem to disappear anytime soon. The virus seems to have adapted very well to humans."

Concerns about resurgence continue within Europe. Since no COVID-19 treatments or vaccines have been developed yet, if the highly contagious virus spreads again, greater damage than now is expected.

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte warned some citizens who do not properly follow the government's quarantine measures about the possibility of COVID-19 resurgence, saying, "It is not over yet." He emphasized, "Let's be clear. Now is not the time to enjoy parties or nightlife. If quarantine measures are not followed, the infection curve can rise again."

Italy, which was the first in Europe to implement lockdown measures in early March, has begun gradually easing lockdown measures since the beginning of this month. Following the normalization of manufacturing, wholesale, and construction work on the 4th, general retail stores, restaurants, and pubs reopened on the 18th. Freedom of movement within the resident's province was also allowed.

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