Europe is once again
reporting a spike in COVID-19 cases, media reports indicate. On Monday, France,
reported 18, 853 fresh COVID cases registering the tenth consecutive
week-on-week increase since the last pandemic curbs were lifted. France has
seen the highest number of COVID-19 cases in Europe – 233,717, 460 — and more
than 140,000 deaths.

Finland is
currently witnessing the biggest surge in COVID-19 cases. New cases rose nearly
84% over the last week. Switzerland has seen a 45% spike in new COVID cases and
the United Kingdom has seen a 31% rise. Rise in fresh coronavirus cases has
been reported in Germany and Italy as well.

The new wave of
infections is linked to the Omicron variant’s BA2 subtype. The BA2 subtype is
said to be even more transmissible than the original Omicron variant. The surge
in cases comes at a time when many countries in Europe have let go of the last
pandemic curbs. UK and France have loosened most of its restrictions over the
last few weeks.

Virologist Lawrence
Young of the University of Warwick in England said the recent spike is a result
of the spread of the BA2 subtype along with waning restrictions.    

The spike in COVID
cases in Europe also comes at a time when China is witnessing a surge. On
Tuesday, China reported 5,280 new coronavirus infections, the highest in two
years. The spike is due to a nationwide rise in cases of the Omicron variant particularly
in the north-eastern Jilin province. The province has makes up for nearly 56%
of the cases reported Tuesday.

The recent rise
has put the United States on alert. The rise in cases in Europe has medical
experts sit up and take note. Even though coronavirus cases are plunging in the
US with daily numbers and hospitalisations coming down, there is active concern
within the medical community of a resurgence.

Eric Topol, an American
cardiologist founder of Scripps Research Transnational Institute, recently tweeted:
“What happens in the UK and Europe doesn’t stay there. 5 out of 5 warnings in
this in this US. Let us make believe the 6th won’t.”