The Guardian reported that the sudden rise in COVID-19 cases and deaths due to a subvariant of the virus in Portugal has prompted European countries to consider taking measures against this spread once again. The Guardian pointed out that the spike in cases and deaths from COVID-19 in Portugal, attributed to the Omicron variant "BA.5," has led capitals across Europe to rethink measures against the pandemic, which has begun to fade from public memory.
Portugal confirmed 26,848 new cases and recorded 47 deaths from COVID-19 last Wednesday, the highest daily death toll since February 17, when 51 deaths were reported. This trend contrasts with the pandemic situation in neighboring countries like France, Germany, the UK, and Spain, where case rates have declined over the past two months.
German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach stated on Twitter, "The highly transmissible variant BA.4/BA.5 is also spreading here... This could become the next wave in the fall." Previously, the leaders of Germany's 16 states met to discuss potential measures to address the sudden surge in cases later in the year, confirming that widespread school and daycare closures would be excluded.
Frank Ulrich Montgomery, head of the World Medical Association, noted, "COVID-19 is not over yet, as evidenced by the Omicron outbreak in Portugal." Mask-wearing mandates have been lifted in most places except for public transport and hospitals. Additionally, while rapid tests in German cities remain free until at least the end of the month, a few venues still require proof of a negative test for entry.
