Is Europe Becoming a COVID-19 'Hotspot' Again... New Cases Surpass the US

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] The number of new COVID-19 cases in Europe has surged, surpassing the number of cases in the United States. This has raised concerns that Europe might once again become a COVID-19 hotspot.

On the 10th (local time), Bloomberg News reported, citing the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), that the number of new COVID-19 cases in Europe the previous day was 27,233. This is 1,218 more than the 26,015 cases reported in the United States on the same day.

This figure combines statistics from the 27 European Union (EU) member countries, the United Kingdom, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.

In France, 10,000 new COVID-19 cases were reported that day, marking the highest number since the lockdown measures were implemented in mid-March.

Among EU countries, Spain, which has the highest cumulative number of COVID-19 cases, reported 4,137 new cases on the same day.

Italy reported approximately 1,600 new COVID-19 cases.

Europe, which showed a rapid spread of COVID-19 in the early stages of the pandemic, seemed to be calming down with fewer new cases than the United States due to strong lockdown policies. However, concerns are growing that Europe might be emerging again as a COVID-19 hotspot as it surpasses the number of new cases in the United States.

In particular, many of the new COVID-19 cases in Europe are among young people who were infected during summer vacations or who are actively engaged in social activities.

Accordingly, governments across Europe are reportedly reconsidering their easing policies, such as reopening schools and reducing remote work.

The daily COVID-19 death toll in Europe was confirmed to be 252 the previous day, showing no significant increase. On the same day, the daily death toll in the United States was recorded at 169.

Bloomberg News analyzed that this is because there are relatively more young and healthy confirmed cases, expanded testing is identifying asymptomatic infections, and treatment methods have improved.

However, it pointed out that simply comparing the number of new COVID-19 cases between Europe and the United States may not be accurate.

This is because the populations of Europe and the United States are different?450 million and 330 million respectively?and the methods of COVID-19 testing and the criteria for counting and reporting confirmed cases also differ.

French President Emmanuel Macron said on the day, "We will make decisions to respond to the resurgence of COVID-19," adding, "We must maintain a strict and realistic stance but not be overwhelmed by fear."

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