US Daily COVID-19 Cases Drop 40%... Europe Begins 'Gonggi Nori' Coexistence Policy

US COVID-19 Cases Near 900,000 Last Month Then Plummet
Finland "To Lift Restrictions Including Vaccine Pass Next Month"
WHO "Too Early to Declare Victory Over COVID-19"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] In the United States, daily COVID-19 cases have reportedly decreased by more than 40% over the past two weeks, leading to analyses that the peak of the Omicron variant's spread has passed. In Europe, as the number of hospitalized patients remains largely unchanged despite the spread, more countries are abandoning existing quarantine policies and adopting coexistence strategies with COVID-19.

According to the New York Times (NYT) on the 2nd (local time), as of the 1st, the 7-day average daily COVID-19 cases in the U.S. stood at 424,077, a 44% decrease compared to two weeks ago. The daily cases in the U.S. began to decline after reaching 895,702 on the 7th of last month, when the Omicron variant was spreading rapidly.

Most regions in the U.S. have seen a significant drop in case numbers. According to the Washington Post (WP), daily cases in New York and New Jersey in the eastern U.S. decreased by 74% and 70%, respectively, over the past two weeks, while Washington D.C. saw a 73% reduction in daily cases during the same period. Cases in California on the west coast also dropped by 40%.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Unlike the U.S., Europe still faces strong spread, but with relatively few critical cases, prompting health authorities in various countries to begin scrapping existing quarantine policies. On this day, Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin announced in a statement, "All restrictions implemented to curb the spread of the Omicron variant since early March will be lifted," adding, "The COVID-19 passports previously granted to vaccinated individuals or those testing negative will also be officially abolished."

This measure is interpreted as following the lead of neighboring Nordic countries such as Norway and Denmark in lifting quarantine regulations. Earlier, Denmark became the first European Union (EU) country to announce that from the 1st, all quarantine regulations including mandatory mask-wearing and health passes would be abolished. Norway also lifted quarantine regulations such as restrictions on alcohol sales and private gatherings.

Following the Nordic countries, Italy, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the Netherlands are also reported to be planning to ease or abolish quarantine regulations. Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi stated at a press conference that "within a few weeks, we will proceed with reopening and establish a timetable for easing restrictions based on scientific evidence."

However, some voices, including the World Health Organization (WHO), express concerns that easing quarantine measures may be premature. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned at a press briefing the day before, "I am concerned about the widespread narrative that because Omicron symptoms are less severe, it is no longer possible or necessary to prevent transmission," adding, "It is premature to declare victory over COVID-19 or to abandon efforts to prevent its spread."

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