Several European countries, like France, have adopted new containment measures in recent weeks, in order to limit the effects of the Covid-19 epidemic and lighten the burden on their hospital system. Taken at different times and of varying scope, these measures have, in general, led to a decrease in the contamination curves and slowed down the transmission of the virus. But not always.
Ireland was the first European country to decide on re-containment, except for schools. It was October 21, for six weeks. And the signals are encouraging: the reproduction rate of the virus fell back to below 1 at the beginning of November, which reflects a decline in the epidemic. The incidence of the virus in the population has fallen by more than half in two weeks: 152 cases per 100,000 people, one of the lowest rates in the Union.
In England, confined for a month, theoretically until December 2, the number of infections has stabilized for a little over a week. On Tuesday, November 10, however, there were 2% more positive cases than seven days ago (20,412). Daily deaths reached a peak, with 532 deaths recorded on Tuesday, but experts believe the second wave is now set to ebb. The UK has so far recorded some 50,000 deaths. In the north-west of England, the region most affected since the fall, hospital admissions have fallen 13% from a week ago. Same thing in London (- 8%), less affected than during the first wave.
Wales, on Monday, November 9, ended a short fifteen-day confinement and authorized the reopening of non-essential stores. On the other hand, the Northern Irish government is tearing itself apart: the pace of the epidemic is slowing down and the DUP, the main Unionist party, wants to lift the restrictions. In Scotland, on the contrary, more than 1,200 people are still hospitalized, and Nicola Sturgeon, the first minister, has decided to tighten the restrictions in the south east, without however establishing a complete containment.
Spain is watching for some positive signals
Severely affected, Spain is watching for some positive signals and they appear in Madrid. The number of hospitalized patients is steadily declining and, in intensive care units, the number of beds occupied by Covid-19 patients has fallen from 42% a month ago to 36%. The positivity rate dropped from 20% to 8%.
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