EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides stated that COVID and its variants were “very much still with us,” stressing the need for vaccination amid the simultaneous circulation of the three viruses.
“Vaccination remains a crucial shield against COVID, especially for the most vulnerable in our societies. I had stressed this in a letter sent to all Health Ministers in September on the need for vaccination for COVID and seasonal influenza.”
Recent data indicate a recurrence of COVID cases in some EU countries. Kyriakides noted that a collateral circulation of other respiratory diseases is an additional problem.
Croatian media reported 68 COVID-related deaths between 12 and 18 December. In Greece, 80 deaths per week are expected if the current trend continues. In Italy, cases of influenza and COVID reached a record high in the last fortnight of 2023.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reported that a new outbreak of SARS-CoV-2, as well as seasonal influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), was expected, as was the co-circulation of the three viruses.
We need adequate testing, sequencing, reporting and sharing of COVID data. This is the only way we can continue to effectively track the spread of the viruses circulating and their variants and keep each other safe.
According to the ECDC, countries are reporting upward and downward trends in SARS-CoV-2 activity, hospitalisations due to COVID-19, as well as intensive care unit hospitalisations and mortalities, with severe outcomes mainly among people aged 65 years and older. However, experts warn that a clearer picture of the situation is likely to emerge in the next couple of weeks, after gatherings over the Christmas period.
Some EU capitals are already mulling introducing new restrictive measures, such as mandatory wearing of masks in certain places. On Monday night, Spain’s Health Ministry introduced masks in health centres across the country from Wednesday, sparking conflict with autonomous regions over the mandatory use of masks in health facilities.
According to some estimates, imposing restrictive measures ahead of the EU elections could be risky as it could be politically exploited by national-oriented and populist parties.
