In Great Britain, the highest number of infections with the corona virus since mid-January was recorded on Wednesday with more than 42,000 new infections. The country had reached the peak of the second wave of infections at the turn of the year. The number of new infections has increased massively again since mid-June.
The reason for the increase is the widespread use of the delta variant in the country and the relaxation of the corona measures. On July 19, almost all restrictions in most of the country are due to fall.
More than two thirds of adults vaccinated
The government assumes that there will be up to 100,000 new infections per day over the summer. Nevertheless, she is sticking to the opening plans. The background to this is the well-advanced vaccination program. The connection between the infection rate on the one hand and hospital admissions and deaths on the other hand is sufficiently weakened, so the argument goes.
Now more than two-thirds of all adults in the UK are fully vaccinated. More than 87 percent have now received a vaccine dose.
Catalonia: tightening in 158 municipalities?
New infections are also increasing sharply in Catalonia. The part of the country with the regional capital Bercelona is considered a corona focal point in Spain. In contrast to those responsible in England, the Catalan regional government wants to tighten the measures again: It is planning a night curfew for the tourist metropolis of Barcelona and 157 other municipalities.
The measure, which is to apply from 1:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m., has yet to be approved by the Supreme Court. People are then only allowed to leave the house with good reason. The measure does not affect the entire region in northeast Spain with the Costa Brava, but only cities with more than 5000 inhabitants with a seven-day incidence of 400 or more or those that are surrounded by such, said regional leader Pere Aragonès on Wednesday evening. “The situation is very delicate,” he warned.
Botellones are suspected to be the source of infection
The restriction is aimed at young people who are to be discouraged from having boozy parties called botellones on beaches, in parks and in public places. It is precisely the infections of young people under 30 that have caused the number of infections in Spain, as a holiday destination, and especially in Catalonia, to skyrocket.
The Ministry of Health in Madrid reported 26,390 infections within 24 hours on Wednesday. The nationwide seven-day incidence climbed from 258 to almost 271 within one day. In Catalonia, the 14-day incidence among 20 to 29-year-olds is 3385. (SDA / noo)