THE LOCKDOWN NIGHTMARE IS BACK IN EUROPE

 Filenews 22 October 2020 - by Xenia Turki

The rapid spread of the new crown virus continues in Europe, with some countries facing a fierce second wave and local lockdown coming one after the other. The increase in cases is rapid and almost daily a new "black record" is recorded. The majority of cases belong to the 18-39 age group, as opposed to the first wave, where most infected were people over 50 years of age.

The third tier of "very high" risk from the crown with the strictest measures implemented by the British Government will be subject from Saturday to South Yorkshire, as was done with the wider area of the city of Liverpool and the county of Lancashire, while tomorrow the same measures will apply in greater Manchester. The third tier provides for the closure of pubs and bars that do not offer a main meal, a ban on meeting in an enclosed or open space for people who do not live in the same residence, the closure of casinos, covered playgrounds, betting shops and gyms, and a recommendation to avoid travel.

Strict measures are also being implemented by Spain, which is shaking off the fact that daily covid-19 admissions to hospitals have increased in recent years, which, although better prepared since last March, is deeply concerned about the chronic shortage of nurses and the risk of staff being exhausted due to the workload. Restrictions have been imposed across the country, particularly in the two worst affected areas, with Madrid having been placed in partial lockdown and Catalonia closing bars and restaurants.

The situation in Italy is particularly critical, forcing the authorities to take tougher measures. The curfew will come into force tomorrow during the evening and night hours in Milan and Naples. All shops should be closed from 9.00 p.m. According to Italian doctors, only 20 beds in intensive care units have been left vacant in Naples, while in Milan many hospitals are now forced to accept almost only patients with coronavirus.

The closure of most shops and services and the restriction of movements with the exception of movement for work or health reasons was also ordered yesterday by the Czech Government in its attempt to stem the escalation in the increase in cases of coronavirus in the country. Authorities fear that if no immediate action is taken, hospitals will have bed shortages in November.

Risk of serious complications

Patients hospitalized with Covid-19 face at least five times more risk of dying than those hospitalized with flu, according to a new study by scientists at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Because the new research only concerned patients admitted to hospital, no direct comparison can be made of the overall mortality of Covid-19 and influenza, but it provides new evidence that the former is more severe and more lethal than the second. The study found that hospitalized patients with coronavirus face a higher risk for 17 serious complications (pneumonia, respiratory failure, thrombosis, etc.) than patients with influenza in hospital.