France, UK, and Italy Break Record for Most Cases in Less Than a Week

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The UK, France, Italy, Greece, and Portugal, where the Omicron variant is rapidly spreading, recorded the highest number of new COVID-19 cases ever on the 28th (local time). Most of these countries broke their records within less than a week after reporting the highest number of cases around the Christmas holidays.

France announced that the number of new COVID-19 cases reached 179,807 on this day. This is just three days after setting the previous record of 104,611 cases on Christmas Day, the 25th.

To curb the Omicron-driven surge, France will limit attendance at large events and strengthen remote work starting December 3. In restaurants, cafes, and bars, consumption is only allowed while seated, and food and drinks are prohibited on public transportation, in theaters, cinemas, and sports centers.

In the UK, 129,471 new cases were reported on this day, breaking the previous record of 122,186 cases set on Christmas Eve, the 24th, just four days earlier.

Scotland and Northern Ireland were excluded from this count, indicating the situation is even more severe. However, the UK government has stated it will not introduce additional restrictions before the end of the year.

In Italy, new cases approached 80,000, setting a new record. The number of positive cases was 78,313, exceeding the previous highest record of 54,761 set on the 25th by more than 20,000. The number of new deaths also surpassed 200 for the first time in seven months since May.

Other European countries with fewer new cases than these three also broke their records. Greece reported 21,657 new cases on this day, breaking records for two consecutive days following 9,284 cases the day before. Portugal recorded 17,172 new cases, breaking its record for the first time in 11 months since late January (16,432 cases).

It is estimated that more than three out of five new COVID-19 cases in Europe are infected with Omicron. Countries are strengthening their alertness by introducing additional quarantine measures.

Finland announced it will ban entry of unvaccinated foreign travelers on this day. Sweden requires travelers who do not reside in the country to present a negative COVID-19 test result upon entry. In Germany, additional measures to tighten limits on private gatherings came into effect starting this day.

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