Europe

Coronavirus: Europe sees ‘significant resurgence’ in cases as lockdown eases

Experts warn that European health services could be pushed to the brink again

Jamie Prentis
Jamie Prentis
London

June 25, 2020

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Europe saw an increase in weekly coronavirus cases for the first time in months last week, with the World Health Organisation warning 11 countries had witnessed a “significant resurgence”.

Hans Kluge, the WHO’s regional director for Europe, said if nothing was done to stem the tide, European health systems could be pushed to the brink once again as countries begin to ease their way out of months of lockdown.

The WHO’s European region, which technically includes the Middle East and Central Asia, has reported more than 2.6 million Covid-19 cases and some 195,000 deaths.

“For weeks, I have spoken about the risk of resurgence as countries adjust measures. Thirty countries have seen increases in new cumulative cases over the past two weeks,” said Mr Kluge.

“In 11 of these countries, accelerated transmission has led to very significant resurgence that if left unchecked will push health systems to the brink once again in Europe," he warned.

He did not identify individual countries or provide detailed figures, but Germany and Portugal brought in restrictions earlier this week as infections grew.

Germany, which began easing measures about seven weeks ago, reimposed lockdowns on Tuesday on more than 600,000 people in two districts in the western part of the country after an outbreak at a slaughterhouse infected more than 1,500 workers.

But Mr Kluge singled out Poland, Germany, Spain and Israel for their swift responses to outbreaks in schools, coal mines, and food production settings in recent weeks.

"Where new clusters of cases appeared, these have been controlled through rapid and targeted interventions. This is very good news," he said.

Mr Kluge also cautioned that the coronavirus could complicate the global health situation later in the year.

"But we have indeed to prepare for the fall, when Covid-19 may meet seasonal influenza, pneumonia, other diseases as well, because ultimately the virus is still actively circulating in our communities and there is no effective treatment, no effective vaccine, yet,” he said.

Militants of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, wearing protective masks against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) spread, march during a rehearsal for the Victory Day Parade in Donetsk, Ukraine. REUTERS
Militants of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, wearing protective masks against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) spread, march during a rehearsal for the Victory Day Parade in Donetsk, Ukraine. REUTERS
epa08503091 Peet (R) trains his students surrounded by plastic sheets to ensure social distancing at the Inspire South Bay Fitness gym amid the coronavirus pandemic in Redondo Beach, California. EPA
epa08503091 Peet (R) trains his students surrounded by plastic sheets to ensure social distancing at the Inspire South Bay Fitness gym amid the coronavirus pandemic in Redondo Beach, California. EPA
Face masks hang from a rope to dry at a house in Bahia Honda, Artemisa province, Cuba, amid the new coronavirus pandemic. Cuba has controlled the pandemic, but its economic income, which is partially used to buy food, was affected by the lack of tourism. The island now faces a food shortage which it is trying to alleviate by increasing local production. AFP
Face masks hang from a rope to dry at a house in Bahia Honda, Artemisa province, Cuba, amid the new coronavirus pandemic. Cuba has controlled the pandemic, but its economic income, which is partially used to buy food, was affected by the lack of tourism. The island now faces a food shortage which it is trying to alleviate by increasing local production. AFP
A health worker remains at the COVID-19 Hospitalization Operational Unit of the Military Field 1, at the National Defense Secretariat in Mexico City. The facility, originally a dormitory for the 6th Mortar Group, was adapted to serve high, medium and low severity COVID-19 patients. AFP
A health worker remains at the COVID-19 Hospitalization Operational Unit of the Military Field 1, at the National Defense Secretariat in Mexico City. The facility, originally a dormitory for the 6th Mortar Group, was adapted to serve high, medium and low severity COVID-19 patients. AFP
A view shows shared electric scooters parked in front of the Coliseum monument in Rome, as the country eases its lockdown aimed at curbing the spread of the COVID-19. With deconfinement and good weather, self-service shared electric scooters have invaded the streets of Rome in recent days, a novelty in the Eternal City, which in turn is discovering the joys and nuisances of new forms of mobility. AFP
A view shows shared electric scooters parked in front of the Coliseum monument in Rome, as the country eases its lockdown aimed at curbing the spread of the COVID-19. With deconfinement and good weather, self-service shared electric scooters have invaded the streets of Rome in recent days, a novelty in the Eternal City, which in turn is discovering the joys and nuisances of new forms of mobility. AFP
The Uceli Quartet perform for an audience made of plants during a concert created by Spanish artist Eugenio Ampudia and that will be later streamed to mark the reopening of the Liceu Grand Theatre in Barcelona following a national lockdown to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus. AFP
The Uceli Quartet perform for an audience made of plants during a concert created by Spanish artist Eugenio Ampudia and that will be later streamed to mark the reopening of the Liceu Grand Theatre in Barcelona following a national lockdown to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus. AFP
Barber Renan Estate gives a haircut to a child at home as part of his "Delivery Barber" service, as his shop is closed due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in the Complexo do Alemao slum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. REUTERS
Barber Renan Estate gives a haircut to a child at home as part of his "Delivery Barber" service, as his shop is closed due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in the Complexo do Alemao slum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. REUTERS
Members of the public pray at St Andrew Cathedral as places of worship reopen for private prayers in Glasgow, Scotland. Places of worship reopened in Scotland today, however only for individual prayer that involves physical distancing. Masses and other large scale services are not permitted yet. Getty Images
Members of the public pray at St Andrew Cathedral as places of worship reopen for private prayers in Glasgow, Scotland. Places of worship reopened in Scotland today, however only for individual prayer that involves physical distancing. Masses and other large scale services are not permitted yet. Getty Images
Quarantined employees of Toennies meat processing company receive food supplies in the district Suerenheide in Verl. According to media reports, over 1300 Toennies employees at the Rheda-Wiedenbrueck plant have tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus that causes the pandemic COVID-19 disease. EPA
Quarantined employees of Toennies meat processing company receive food supplies in the district Suerenheide in Verl. According to media reports, over 1300 Toennies employees at the Rheda-Wiedenbrueck plant have tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus that causes the pandemic COVID-19 disease. EPA
Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio (R) and German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas pose for photographers during a bilateral meeting at villa Madama, a sixteenth-century villa seat of representation by the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Italian Republic, Rome, Italy. EPA
Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio (R) and German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas pose for photographers during a bilateral meeting at villa Madama, a sixteenth-century villa seat of representation by the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Italian Republic, Rome, Italy. EPA

In the UK a major incident, meaning a heightened response from emergency services is needed, was declared as thousands flocked to the beach at a town in southern England to bask in high temperatures.

The local council hit out at the “irresponsible behaviour” of people amid a time when emergency services are already stretched.

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What are NFTs?

Are non-fungible tokens a currency, asset, or a licensing instrument? Arnab Das, global market strategist EMEA at Invesco, says they are mix of all of three.

You can buy, hold and use NFTs just like US dollars and Bitcoins. “They can appreciate in value and even produce cash flows.”

However, while money is fungible, NFTs are not. “One Bitcoin, dollar, euro or dirham is largely indistinguishable from the next. Nothing ties a dollar bill to a particular owner, for example. Nor does it tie you to to any goods, services or assets you bought with that currency. In contrast, NFTs confer specific ownership,” Mr Das says.

This makes NFTs closer to a piece of intellectual property such as a work of art or licence, as you can claim royalties or profit by exchanging it at a higher value later, Mr Das says. “They could provide a sustainable income stream.”

This income will depend on future demand and use, which makes NFTs difficult to value. “However, there is a credible use case for many forms of intellectual property, notably art, songs, videos,” Mr Das says.

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The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

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  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
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Andy Murray - hip

Novak Djokovic - elbow

Roger Federer - back

Stan Wawrinka - knee

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Marin Cilic - adductor

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Know before you go
  • Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
  • If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
  • By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
  • Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
  • Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.

 

Other workplace saving schemes
  • The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
  • Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
  • National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
  • In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
  • Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
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German intelligence warnings
  • 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
  • 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
  • 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250 

Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution

Coronavirus