BRUSSELS – A fourth wave of the coronavirus pandemic is expected to hit European countries in September or even as early as later this month, as extremely contagious virus variants continue to spread across the region rapidly.
European Union health officials warn that the Delta and Delta Plus variants could account for 90% of the bloc’s cases by late August. The strains remain a major matter of concern, even though 61.5% of the adult EU population have received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, with 40.3% being fully vaccinated, according to Sputnik.
French Health Minister Olivier Veran has warned that a fourth wave is possible as early as the end of this month, as the Delta variants are progressing in France, similar to what happened a month before in the United Kingdom. Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa said yesterday that his country is already facing the fourth wave.
Janez Jansa, the prime minister of Slovenia, which holds the EU Council presidency, said yesterday that the bloc needs to prepare for a potential fourth wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. The official added that the EU’s priority is to do everything possible to prevent the new wave. – Bernama, July 7, 2021
