For the European health agency The evolution of the Covid-19 epidemic is now causing serious concern in 23 countries of the European Union, as well as in the United Kingdom (Illustration) -

Miroslav Chaloupka / AP / SIPA

The evolution of the coronavirus epidemic in 23 countries of the European Union, as well as in the United Kingdom, is now raising "serious concern" announced Friday the European health agency in charge of diseases.

All EU countries except Finland, Cyprus, Estonia and Greece now fall into this category, up from seven a month ago, according to the latest risk assessment from the European Center for Prevention and Prevention. disease control (ECDC).

The new progression of the coronavirus epidemic within European countries "poses a major public health problem, with most countries having a very worrying epidemiological situation", commented the boss of the center based in Stockholm, Andrea Ammon, in an ECDC press release.

Increase in cases not explained by increased number of tests

“The impact in terms of pressure on health services and mortality is becoming more and more evident.

With high levels of transmission, protecting vulnerable individuals becomes more difficult and it is inevitable that more of them will contract serious forms ”, continues the European official.

Since August, the rate of positive tests has increased steadily across the European Union, a sign that contamination is increasing and cannot be explained by the increased number of tests, underlines the European agency, which covers the countries of the EU and the European Economic Area.

"Strong public health action is necessary"

“Strong public health action is needed to reverse the imminent risk of health systems being overwhelmed and unable to provide quality care,” says Andrea Ammon.

Hit hard by a second wave, Europe is the new epicenter of the pandemic, with the return of confinements and curfews in several countries.

At the end of September, the ECDC assessment placed seven EU countries in a situation of "serious concern", but most of the other EU countries were already on the verge of falling into this category.

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