The globe is being hit by another wave of Covid infections. The aggressive delta variant also poses new challenges for well-vaccinated economies. Nevertheless: Broadly vaccinated populations are apparently paying off. This is the conclusion of the updated coronavirus ranking from “Bloomberg” Entitled: “The Covid Resilience Ranking: The Best And Worst Places To Be If Delta Shuts Up Plans To Reopen.”
The big loser: New Zealand. The country has held the top spot since the ranking was introduced in November 2020 – and has now dropped by 26 places. This after the New Zealand government declared the highest level of lockdown. Delta also penetrated New Zealand’s “fortress-like defenses”, according to the ranking. What just relaxes life in New Zealand, everyday life there is now one of the strictest.
Countries like Israel and the USA and Israel, which were still in the top ranks due to rapid vaccination campaigns in spring and early summer, have also fallen back. Delta has had flare-ups with a “worrying number of vaccine breakthroughs” as unvaccinated people fill intensive care units.
European middle ground
The Covid Resilience Ranking ranks the 53 largest economies with the least social and economic impact based on their success in containing the virus. For the second consecutive month, the ranking has been led by Norway with the highest “resistance index”, followed by the Netherlands and Finland.
Switzerland ranks 9th in the top ten. The rapid introduction of quarantine-free entry for vaccinated travelers is apparently also paying off. Switzerland is therefore one of the countries that are most closely associated with so-called “vaccinated travel routes”. This also ensures continued economic activity.
The European countries are currently the most resilient. They pursue a strategy of the middle ground with extensive vaccinations and reopening depending on the vaccination status.
Southeast Asia, the new epicenter of the virus, brings up the rear
According to the ranking, it is currently better not to live in developing countries. These occupy the last ten places. Vaccination is slow, entire economies remain largely unprotected, while the delta is spreading.
The bottom five of the August ranking are all in Southeast Asia. The region has become the new epicenter of the virus with the highest monthly death rate per capita: Thailand in 49th place, followed by Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia in last place. (kes)