Flu and Covid-19 sweep across Europe

Covid-19 is on the rise again in some European countries, the Spanish government requires people to wear masks again to deal with the situation.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control recommends that people stay at home if they have flu or Covid-19 symptoms, and follow national vaccination guidelines for vulnerable groups.

The agency is also considering reimposing mask mandates in crowded places and health care settings. In the region, seasonal influenza is spreading as usual, but has become particularly severe in some countries. Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations are also rising rapidly.

In Spain, some hospitals last week required patients, visitors and medical staff to wear masks. On January 9, the central government proposed expanding the requirement nationwide. However, regional leaders in charge of health policy rejected the proposal, with a formal decision expected on January 11.

"We know that the one thing that will definitely limit the epidemic and protect the vulnerable is the mask. It is a simple measure, widely supported by the public and widely accepted scientifically ," said Health Minister Monica Garcia.

The government also proposed allowing workers to test and diagnose at home in case of mild symptoms, taking three days off work without a doctor's note.

People wearing face masks outside the Trias i Pujol Hospital in Badalona, Spain, January 8. Photo: Reuters — People wearing face masks outside the Trias i Pujol Hospital in Badalona, Spain, January 8. Photo: *Reuters*

Spain was one of the last European countries to scrap the mask mandate after the Covid-19 pandemic. By February 2023, people will be allowed to remove their masks on public transport.

In Italy, the number of people infected with flu and Covid-19 reached a record high in the last two weeks of 2023. The infection rate was 17.5 cases per 1,000 people in week 52 and 17.7 cases per 1,000 people last week, according to data from the National Institute of Health (ISS).

ISS experts say the surge could be due to the fact that most people are no longer wearing masks, and too few people are getting vaccinated this season. So far, the government has shown no signs of considering re-issuing mask-wearing regulations.

Portugal’s Health Minister Manuel Pizarro said there was no reason to recommend universal use of masks at the moment. But he acknowledged that the country was experiencing a flu epidemic, which has caused queues in emergency departments to increase by more than 10 hours a week. In the last week of 2023, the flu rate in intensive care units hit a record 17%, according to the health authority.

Thuc Linh (According to Reuters, China Daily )

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